Sunday 1, June 2025 {HMC} The Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of key opposition groups led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of undermining national unity and the agreed-upon state-building process.
In a strongly worded statement released following a high-level meeting in Mogadishu on Saturday night, the Forum expressed alarm over what it called the President’s increasing political isolation and alleged attempts to consolidate power by aligning expired federal member states with his ruling party.
While the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism, including Al-Shabaab and ISIS, it criticized the government’s current war strategy. The opposition accused the administration of neglecting national forces and community fighters on the frontlines, urging a unified national strategy to safeguard Somalia’s stability.
The Forum highlighted concerns about the expired mandates of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Southwest state administration, warning that any extensions and alignment with the President’s party are unconstitutional and politically motivated. It described these actions as indicators of President Hassan Sheikh’s intent to seek an electoral advantage, potentially destabilizing the already fragile federal structure.
The statement warned of the President’s growing rift with Puntland and Jubbaland and condemned the federal government’s handling of the Gedo region, calling such actions politically incendiary. It also demanded the lifting of sanctions and restrictions on Jubbaland-administered areas.
The Forum proposed an urgent national summit involving federal and state leaders, as well as opposition groups, aimed at restoring unity and crafting a coordinated strategy to tackle terrorism, resolve constitutional disputes, and manage resource sharing.
On the electoral front, the Forum rejected any return to the 2022 model, instead backing one-person, one-vote elections anchored in the 2012 provisional constitution. They called for the process to be transparent, inclusive, and based on laws approved by previous parliaments, including the direct election law passed by the 10th Parliament.
The Forum also advocated for the resumption of Somalia–Somaliland talks, warning against what it described as foreign-driven agendas aimed at dividing the Somali nation.
The Somali Salvation Forum’s statement highlights the deepening of political divisions ahead of a contentious electoral period, signalling potential instability if inclusive dialogue and legal frameworks are not restored.
