Somali leaders attend Murusade Ugaas inauguration in Mogadishu

Sunday April 26, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Saturday attended the inauguration of Murusade sub-clan traditional chief Ugaas Abdirisaq Ugaas Abdullahi in Mogadishu, joining opposition leaders and traditional elders at the ceremony.

The gathering brought together a wide range of figures from across Somali regions, among them government officials, opposition representatives and customary leaders, underscoring the event’s broader national weight.

Hassan Sheikh described the gathering as a sign of unity at a time of political tension in the country.

“This is a very encouraging and positive sign. It reflects a unity that does not divide the Somali people by culture or religion and shows that even in politics, we can move forward together,” the president said.

He said the turnout by elders and leaders from different parts of the country showed how deeply Somali cultural institutions continue to shape national cohesion.

“The fact that leaders from across the Somali territories have gathered speaks to the strength, dignity and respected place of our culture,” he added.

The inauguration also highlighted the lasting role of traditional leadership in resolving disputes and guiding communities, especially in Somalia, where customary systems often operate alongside formal state institutions.

In recent years, the federal government has increasingly leaned on elders as part of its peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts as the country works through political disagreements and broader state-building challenges.

The Murusade are a major Somali clan within the Karanle branch of the Hawiye clan family, with a significant presence in central regions and Mogadishu.