Somalia’s political landscape is facing renewed turbulence as former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo issued a scathing critique of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of violating core tenets of the Transitional Federal Constitution and steering the country toward deeper instability.
In a statement released Wednesday, Farmaajo warned that Somalia is at risk of plunging into avoidable crisis, driven by what he called growing factionalism, exclusionary politics, and the politicization of federal institutions.
Citing specific constitutional breaches, Farmaajo pointed to Articles 50, 65, 87, and 92 — provisions that emphasize the president’s obligation to uphold national unity, preserve the independence of Parliament, and ensure the neutrality of institutions like the National Consultative Council (NCC) and the Office of the Speaker.
“These articles clearly outline the president’s constitutional duty to safeguard national cohesion and maintain the neutrality of vital institutions,” Farmaajo stated. “They are not meant to serve partisan interests.”
His accusations come on the heels of the launch of the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), chaired by President Hassan Sheikh. The party’s formation has sparked controversy, with critics alleging it was established using state resources and government influence — effectively eroding the line between the state and ruling party.
Farmaajo denounced the alleged use of public institutions — including the national army, state media, and civil servants — to support the JSP’s political agenda, calling it an illegal abuse of power.
He further urged the president to reconstitute the NCC in collaboration with all federal member states, stressing the need for genuine, inclusive governance.
“The unilateral suspension of the provisional constitution, the dismantling of key national commissions, and the systematic exclusion of federal states from critical decision-making processes are undermining our federal structure,” Farmaajo warned.
The former president’s remarks align with a joint statement issued just hours earlier by 16 influential Somali political figures, including ex-leaders such as Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Hassan Ali Khayre, and Mohamed Hussein Rooble. The group collectively accused President Hassan Sheikh of transforming the NCC into a partisan platform, weakening Somalia’s fragile federal arrangement and hindering democratic progress.
They also criticized the appointment of top federal officials to leadership positions within the JSP, arguing that it compromises the neutrality of public office and exacerbates tensions in regions like Jubbaland and Puntland.
Farmaajo concluded by calling on the president to re-engage with regional administrations that have been sidelined, rebuild trust through consensus-building, and allow state-led regional elections free from interference from Mogadishu.
As Somalia prepares for a crucial phase — including the implementation of universal suffrage and the finalization of its constitution — mounting political friction now threatens to derail the fragile transition and further polarize the nation.
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