Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Questions Timing of Opposition Protest in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday cast doubt on the opposition’s decision to organize a planned protest in Mogadishu on the same day direct local elections were underway in SouthWest state and talks were scheduled in the capital.

Speaking on the country’s political and security climate, Hassan Sheikh congratulated South West State residents for what he described as their calm participation in Sunday morning’s “one person, one vote” polls across several districts.

He described the vote as an important advance in efforts to return political power directly to Somali citizens after years of indirect elections.

The president said the federal government is still committed to holding universal suffrage elections nationwide so Somalis can choose their leaders directly.

Hassan Sheikh also urged opposition politicians to put forward practical policy plans and workable solutions for the country rather than, in his words, “trading on public sentiment.”

He accused opposition groups of disrupting a government-led consultation process designed to resolve political disagreements and election-related disputes, saying the planned demonstration was timed to coincide with a day reserved for dialogue between the government and political stakeholders.

He further said authorities had moved to stop security threats after opposition figures allegedly displayed heavy weapons during activities linked to the protest.

“Protests can be held, opinions can be expressed, and that is a constitutional right, but there is no need for demonstrations behind which dangerous elements can hide,” Hassan Sheikh said.

The comments come at a time of rising political tension in Mogadishu, where the federal government and opposition leaders remain divided over the country’s electoral system and its wider political future.

AXADLETM