Wednesday January 15, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly criticized the federal government’s handling of politics, security, constitutional amendments, and elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu on Tuesday, the Himilo Qaran Party leader accused the government of creating divisions and undermining democratic processes.
Ahmed specifically denounced recent amendments to four chapters of the Constitution, which he claimed have deepened rifts between the federal government and member states. He emphasized that the Somali people should achieve constitutional changes through broad consensus.
“The elections being held only in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dhusamareb, and Jowhar will divide the people, and it will take significant effort to reunite them. If the elections are to be improved, simple, corruption-free options are available. The question is, why haven’t they considered these issues?” Ahmed questioned.
The former President also criticized the electoral committee, alleging that students from schools and universities were being registered in districts to vote in the elections.
“This country does not have a functioning parliament, government, or judiciary. Only one person seems to be in charge,” Ahmed added, without elaborating on whom he was referring to.
Ahmed also condemned the recent agreement brokered by Turkey between Somalia and Ethiopia to restore diplomatic ties, describing it as deeply concerning.
The agreement, facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, resolved a year-long dispute between the two countries. Relations had soured after Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland, in which Ethiopia agreed to lease coastal land to establish a marine base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence.