Somalia political rift deepens as Farmaajo blames Hassan Sheikh over unrest

Former Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has launched faulted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, blaming him for the latest political unrest and deadly violence in Mogadishu as Somalia faces a fresh constitutional and electoral crisis.

In a statement on Thursday, Farmaajo accused the president of ignoring calls for consensus, manipulating electoral and constitutional processes, and attempting to cling to power after the expiry of his mandate.

“You alone approved a flawed constitution. You brought in an electoral commission loyal to you, as well as political parties, even while we were telling you to stop,” Farmaajo said.

The criticism came as heavy gunfire rocked parts of the Somali capital following escalating tensions over Hassan Sheikh's controversial decision to extend his stay in office by one year after his term officially expired on May 15.

The unrest intensified after reports emerged that government security forces had moved against opposition leaders ahead of planned demonstrations challenging the extension. Residents reported exchanges of gunfire in several parts of Mogadishu, raising fears of a broader political confrontation.

Farmaajo accused the president of abandoning efforts to forge a broad political agreement and instead resorting to force.

“Your term of office is over. You were supposed to bring a broad-based consensus agreement. Today, you are responsible for fighting and displacement. You cannot hold the country by force. Return to dialogue,” he said.

The former president also expressed sympathy for those affected by the violence and defended the right of citizens to demonstrate peacefully.

“I am saddened by those who died, and may Allah heal those who were wounded. The people have the right to protest; it is a constitutional right. Why are you denying them that right and fighting them?” Farmaajo added.

Reports indicate that former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire were also caught up in the security operation and came under gunfire as tensions escalated.

The United States has also voiced concern over the deteriorating situation, calling for differences to be resolved through peaceful dialogue and urging Somali leaders to avoid actions that could further destabilize the country.

The latest crisis highlights Somalia's continuing struggle to establish stable democratic governance more than three decades after the collapse of the government of former president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

While the country has made progress through transitional institutions and the establishment of a federal government, disputes over elections, constitutional reforms and power-sharing arrangements have repeatedly triggered political standoffs.

With opposition leaders, regional administrations and international partners increasingly expressing concern, pressure is mounting on Somalia's political leadership to return to negotiations and prevent the crisis from spiraling into wider instability.