MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s political opposition leaders have firmly rejected the newly announced electoral committee and its associated laws, warning that the country faces increasing dangers without an urgent political agreement.
In a joint statement, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur expressed their opposition to the recent electoral commission, electoral laws, and political party laws, urging the Somali people, political stakeholders, and international partners not to rely on them.
The opposition leaders emphasized that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power at a time when Somalia had an agreed-upon constitution, electoral commission, electoral law, and political party law.
However, they argue that President Mohamud’s recent actions have undermined these foundational agreements.
“He amended the country’s constitution, enacted electoral and political party laws, and appointed an electoral commission, all of which were tailored to his personal desires,” the statement reads.
‘Dangers of relying on the newly appointed electoral laws’
The leaders further warned of the dangers of relying on the newly appointed electoral laws and commission, which they claim are rooted in an unconstitutionally amended constitution.
“Anything built on falsehood is false, and no purity can be derived from a single impurity,” they stated, stressing that the current system contradicts the principles of the provisional constitution, which was meant to safeguard the country’s democratic progress.
The opposition pointed to specific sections of the provisional constitution, which make clear that matters of national importance must be decided through consensus, rather than by a single group or ruling government.
Articles 1, 5, 3, 46, and 111, they argue, emphasize that key decisions impacting Somalia’s future must involve broad agreement.
The leaders also cautioned that the new laws and commission could fuel political tension and lead to further instability, warning that this could escalate the ongoing armed uprisings in Mogadishu, where security continues to deteriorate.
“The commission appointed by the President and the hastily enacted laws by the colluding assemblies will create further conflict, political instability, and security turmoil in the country,” they warned. “This could lead to indefinite extensions of terms and deepen divisions within the country.”
Criticizing the way the commission was formed, the opposition stated that it undermines the two-tier federal system by centralizing power in the hands of the president.
“This is an electoral system where the player and the referee are the same person,” they noted.
The opposition reiterated its willingness to participate in discussions to develop and enact electoral laws, political party laws, and a truly independent commission—but only if these are based on the agreed-upon constitution and negotiated through an inclusive, transparent, and accountable dialogue.
As tensions mount in the capital, the opposition’s warning highlights the deepening political crisis, with armed resistance forces in Mogadishu intensifying their push against the federal government.
Without a clear and inclusive political agreement, Somalia risks plunging into a more severe crisis, with the potential for deadly consequences.