President Mohamud Accuses Opposition of ‘Lack of Vision’ Amid Ongoing Row

GOOBJOOG NEWS | DHUSAMAREB: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has lashed out at Somalia’s opposition, accusing it of lacking unity and a national vision as political tensions continue to mount in Mogadishu.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Galmudug parliament building on Wednesday, Mohamud contrasted today’s opposition with the one he was part of in 2022, arguing that the current coalition is fragmented and directionless. “The opposition I belonged to in 2022 and the one that exists today are not the same. There is no unifying vision—everyone is going in different directions, and that does not lead to progress,” the President said.

He added that Somalia must move away from politics built around individuals and vested interests and instead foster parties grounded in principles and clear programs. Mohamud also renewed his campaign promises to finalize the constitution and deliver one-person, one-vote elections, insisting that these steps are crucial to returning power to the people.

Opposition Accusations

His remarks come after five failed rounds of dialogue between the government and the opposition coalition known as the Somali Salvation Forum. The bloc has accused Mohamud’s administration of stalling on electoral reforms and failing to build consensus on key national issues.

Adding to the tension, three former Somali presidents—Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo—this week issued a joint letter accusing the government of illegally selling and reallocating public land in Mogadishu.

The former leaders said such actions violated multiple provisions of the Provisional Constitution and public finance laws, which require transparency, parliamentary oversight, and accountability for state property. They also condemned recent forced evictions in the capital and urged that displaced families be properly resettled.

The ex-presidents warned businesses and private citizens against participating in what they described as the “looting” of national land, while calling on the government to reverse the sales and respect legal procedures.