Somalia's ex-President Mohamed Farmaajo warns of political instability, urges dialogue to address political tensions

Former Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has issued a warning about the country’s current political situation, calling it a critical moment that requires urgent action.

In a press release issued on Monday, Farmaajo expressed concern about potential political instability and national disunity in Somalia.

He highlighted the dangers of unilateral actions, particularly in relation to constitutional amendments and electoral processes.

"Our country has entered a political stage surrounded by significant threats that could lead to setbacks in governance and harm national security," Farmaajo stated.

The former president pointed to ongoing debates about changes to Somalia’s provisional constitution, which serves as the legal framework for the country’s governance. He emphasised that the constitution is the unifying factor for the Somali people and warned against altering it without broad agreement.

Farmaajo criticised President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his insistence on holding an election independently and governing without consensus.

"The president’s actions are steps that could lead to political instability and a national crisis," Farmaajo said.

Dialogue

He urged his successor to prioritise dialogue and avoid decisions that might escalate political tensions.

The statement also called for federal member states, former national leaders, and members of Parliament to work together in addressing the situation. Farmaajo emphasized the importance of collaboration in establishing a national consensus to prevent political uncertainty.

The former president specifically addressed concerns about the exclusion of key political actors from the electoral process. He warned that leaving out regions such as Puntland and Jubaland could be interpreted as undermining national unity.

"This would disregard the trust placed in those leading the country and weaken collective responsibilities," he said.

His statement also included an appeal to various sectors of Somali society, including religious leaders, businesspeople, youth, and women urging them to take an active role in preserving the country’s unity and supporting efforts to achieve political stability.

There have been growing tensions recently between the federal government and regional states over electoral laws and governance.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that Somalia will hold a one-person, one-vote election and has reinforced this commitment by passing a law through Parliament. However, some regional states and opposition members argue that the country is not ready to implement a universal suffrage system.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Somalia
• President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
• Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo
• somalia constitutional reforms
• somalia constitution
• somalia constitutional amendments
• somalia elections
• Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud
• Somalia's ex-President Mohamed Farmaajo warns of political instability
• urges dialogue to address political tensions

Farmaajo’s call for dialogue comes at a time when many are watching how President Mohamud’s administration will address these challenges.

Farmaajo ended his statement with a plea for national unity, warning that failure to act decisively could result in a deeper political crisis.

"I urge President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to avoid decisions that could lead the country into uncertainty or disintegration," he noted.