Somali Defense Minister Dismisses Ex-President Sheikh Sharif’s Mogadishu Security Warning

Somalia defense minister rebukes ex-president’s warning on Mogadishu security, says critics undermine reforms

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s defense minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, on Thursday rejected former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s assertion that Mogadishu remains unsafe, accusing the opposition figure of eroding confidence in security gains and obstructing the country’s political transition.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Fiqi said Sheikh Sharif and allies in the Council of National Salvation have consistently opposed key state-building priorities, including electoral reforms, completion of the provisional constitution and security operations in the capital. He argued that criticism from the coalition ignores progress achieved by Somali forces alongside international partners.

“They rejected the elections, they rejected the constitution, and now they question the security gains recognized by the public and by foreign forces still stationed in the country,” Fiqi wrote.

The remarks followed an interview Sheikh Sharif gave to the BBC in which the former president warned that Somalia cannot hold credible elections without a political agreement, stronger security and a clear framework to implement reforms. He said the country is “at a dangerous point,” citing continued insecurity and deepening political fragmentation.

Fiqi countered that Mogadishu is preparing for a surge in political activity as national institutions move ahead with election planning. He said state bodies responsible for security and governance are aligned, and he argued that attempts to cast doubt on the process hinder national progress. “Those committed to accountability in security and development will guide this process,” he said. “Anyone working against these efforts is standing in the way of Somalia’s advancement.”

Sheikh Sharif, who led the country from 2009 to 2012, has become one of the most prominent critics of PresidentHassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration. His coalition contends that federal leaders have failed to forge sufficient consensus around electoral and constitutional changes, warning that rushed timelines without buy-in from political stakeholders risk instability. Federal officials insist they are executing a roadmap intended to strengthen institutions and broaden political participation.

The clash underscores the stakes as Somalia enters a critical phase of political preparation. Officials have reported improvements in parts of the capital amid ongoing security operations, while al-Shabab attacks and intra-elite tensions continue to challenge day-to-day governance and public confidence. Fiqi’s defense of the government’s approach centers on what he describes as “measurable gains,” though he did not detail specific indicators in Thursday’s message.

For Sheikh Sharif and his allies, the core concern is sequencing: that a credible vote depends on a negotiated political framework, transparent security responsibilities and clearly communicated steps to execute reforms. His BBC comments aligned with that argument, emphasizing the need for agreement and implementation rules before ballots are cast.

Fiqi, by contrast, framed opposition critiques as an effort to stall progress at a moment when the government is attempting to consolidate security and advance electoral planning. He maintained that security and governance institutions are “aligned” and capable of managing the uptick in political activity that accompanies election preparations.

The exchange highlights a broader point of friction running through Somalia’s politics: whether reforms can be advanced in parallel with security operations or whether consensus and baseline security conditions must be achieved first. It also spotlights the role of former leaders and opposition coalitions in shaping public perceptions of both risk and progress in the capital.

While both men invoked security as decisive, their prescriptions diverged. Sheikh Sharif warned that pushing ahead without agreement could produce an unworkable process, while Fiqi argued that questioning gains discourages participation and undercuts institutions tasked with delivering elections and safeguarding public order.

With local-level election preparations accelerating, the tenor of the debate matters. Government claims of improved conditions in Mogadishu have been welcomed by some residents and international partners, yet persistent militant threats and political fragmentation remain a drag on stability. Whether the coming months bring a narrowing of differences—or a deepening standoff—will shape Somalia’s ability to organize a vote that is both orderly and broadly accepted.

Neither side indicated a timeline for renewed talks, but Thursday’s exchange makes clear that the battle over narrative and legitimacy is already underway.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.