Fiqi Accuses Opposition of Foreign-Backed Effort to Destabilize Government

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has accused opposition political figures of supporting an attempt to undermine the federal government, as tensions escalated following clashes in parts of Mogadishu.

In comments posted on his Facebook page, Fiqi alleged that some opposition leaders were working with foreign actors seeking to weaken Somalia’s state institutions and disrupt ongoing government reforms. He did not provide evidence to support the claims or identify the countries allegedly involved.

The minister said Somali security forces had largely contained the violence that erupted in the capital and warned against efforts to challenge the government through armed means.

Fiqi compared armed groups involved in the unrest to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been engaged in a devastating conflict with the Sudanese army since 2023. He said Somali forces had thwarted what he described as an attempt to destabilize the country’s institutions.

“Some have tried to disguise their activities under the banner of protests or clan mobilization, but their objective is to weaken the Somali state,” Fiqi said in the statement.

He also appealed to young men involved in the fighting to surrender and join the national security forces, urging them not to take part in activities that could threaten the country’s stability.

The remarks come amid one of the most serious political confrontations in Somalia in recent years, with relations between the federal government and opposition groups deteriorating over disagreements surrounding constitutional amendments, elections and governance reforms.

Heavy gunfire and clashes were reported in parts of Mogadishu overnight, prompting concern among residents and drawing calls for restraint from international partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Opposition leaders have rejected accusations from government officials and insist that their activities are aimed at defending constitutional order, political freedoms and transparent electoral processes. They have accused the government of attempting to suppress dissent and restrict legitimate political activity.

The exchange of accusations underscores growing political polarization in Somalia at a time when the country is also confronting significant security challenges, including ongoing military operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Security analysts say prolonged political tensions risk distracting attention from counterinsurgency efforts and could complicate broader state-building and governance initiatives backed by international partners.

As of Thursday, there was no indication that the government and opposition had opened new talks to ease tensions, although diplomats and international organizations have continued to urge dialogue as the preferred path to resolving the dispute.