MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has warned that the threat from Al-Shabaab is increasing, with the group regaining control of areas previously liberated.
Speaking at a press conference today in Mogadishu, organized by the opposition alliance Somali Salvation Forum following their two-day meeting in the city, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed highlighted growing security concerns.
“The threat from Al-Shabaab is rising, and the government is not fully engaged as it should be,” Sharif said.
“You know that Al-Shabaab has returned to areas that were liberated, and they are planning to take control of other regions, while the government remains distracted by divisive issues,” he added.
The former president warned that areas previously cleared of Al-Shabaab have been retaken, raising fears that the group could capture additional territory.
In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has exerted pressure around Mogadishu, deploying its militants to the city’s outskirts.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned land seizures, noting that not only public land but also privately owned land, particularly belonging to vulnerable citizens, is being auctioned off.
“It is deeply troubling that public land is being auctioned while the land of the poor is being taken, leaving people without homes or shelter,” he said.
He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of being behind these auctions and land grabs affecting both public property and land owned by Mogadishu’s vulnerable residents.
Sharif also highlighted the recent wave of kidnappings in Mogadishu, where individuals expressing grievances are being detained. He cited peace activist Hussein Xaadoole, who was held for four days without being brought before a court.