The criticism came at the close of a three-day opposition conference in Mogadishu, which included consultations with civil society groups, women, elders, and business leaders.

In a strongly worded statement, the Opposition Forum warned that the current trajectory of political decision-making under President Hassan Sheikh risks destabilizing Somalia’s recent security gains.

“This is a dangerous turn that could undo years of hard-won progress,” the statement read.

Allegations of Partisan Politics and Marginalization

The forum accused the president of marginalizing key federal member states—particularly Puntland and Jubaland—while promoting loyal administrations in South West, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle.

These regional leaders, the statement noted, have recently joined the president’s Union for Peace and Development Party (JSP), in what opposition leaders call a coordinated move to consolidate power.

“The illegal term extensions, partisan alignments, and dismantling of the National Consultative Council (NCC) point to President Hassan Sheikh’s authoritarian ambitions and a strategy to engineer a one-man election,” the communiqué asserted.

The group also condemned corruption, land grabbing, and the alleged misuse of public resources.

They raised alarm over secretive deals signed with foreign companies and governments involving Somalia’s natural resources—including oil, minerals, and fisheries—which they claim have enriched a small elite closely tied to the president’s family.

Press Freedom and Civil Liberties

The opposition expressed grave concern over increasing restrictions on press freedom. They cited a recent spike in journalist arrests and equipment seizures, particularly targeting reporters covering the controversial forced voter registration in Mogadishu.

“These actions are unacceptable and only worsen the already precarious safety of Somali journalists,” the statement added.

Calling for a return to constitutional order, the forum denounced the unlawful amendments allegedly made by the president to the Provisional Federal Constitution.

They urged the formation of an independent electoral commission and demanded inclusive, transparent elections.

“We call for an urgent national dialogue involving all stakeholders—federal leaders, state authorities, and opposition figures—to steer the country away from political collapse and the threat of extremism,” the leaders said.

Call for Renewed Dialogue with Somaliland

The group also urged a restart of stalled talks between Somalia and Somaliland, which broke down after Somaliland suspended negotiations.

The move followed what Hargeisa viewed as provocations by Mogadishu, including Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod.

The joint statement was endorsed by a host of influential Somali political figures, including: Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Former Parliament Speakers Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman, Former Prime Ministers Abdi Farah Shirdon, Mohamed Hussein Roble, Hassan Ali Khaire, and Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame and MP Abdikadir Osoble Ali, Former Foreign Minister Ahmed Issa Awad, Former Ministers Abdinur Sheikh Mohamed, Abdullahi Abukar Haji, and Dahir Mohamud Geelle (who recently resigned as a presidential advisor).

The Mogadishu conference took place amid growing political tensions, with the opposition warning that without course correction, Somalia risks sliding back into authoritarianism and instability.

The post Somalia Opposition Slams President Hassan Sheikh’s Electoral Agenda, Warns of Democratic Backsliding appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to the NCC communiqué, SSC-Khaatumo will officially join the federal system after a local clan conference is completed within the next two months.

This came after SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw-Ali Firdhiye participated in his first National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting held from May 5 to 7.

However, the move has triggered a political Pandora’s box, adding fresh complications to Somalia’s already fragile and poorly defined federal structure.

The core problem lies in Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, which leaves the formation of Federal Member States (FMS) open to interpretation. Article 49(6) states: “Based on a voluntary decision, two or more regions may merge to form a Federal Member State.”

This provision makes clear that no single region can become a federal state on its own.

Meanwhile, Article 142(1) recognizes existing Federal Member States that were established before the constitution’s adoption, allowing them to maintain their powers temporarily until all FMS are properly formed and harmonized with the national constitution.

Yet, in practice, the formation of federal states has been inconsistent, often determined by clan-based arrangements rather than geographic or legal criteria.

For example, Galmudug was formed by merging Galgaduud with only part of Mudug—leaving the rest of Mudug within Puntland.

Though controversial, the Federal Government framed Galmudug’s creation as a political solution rather than a strictly legal one.

The Case of SSC-Khaatumo

The recognition of SSC-Khaatumo followed a deadly conflict in Las Anod in August 2023, where Dhulbahante militias fought Somaliland forces.

Las Anod was subsequently declared the capital of SSC-Khaatumo, an entity claiming to represent the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions.

In reality, however, Sanaag has not joined the project, and “Cayn” refers only to Buuhoodle, a town that formerly fell under Togdheer region.

This means SSC-Khaatumo effectively governs only parts of Sool—falling short of the constitutional requirement that two or more regions must voluntarily merge to form a federal state.

Domino Effect in the Regions

SSC-Khaatumo’s recognition has sparked similar demands across the country.

On Saturday, Beledweyne—Hiiraan’s capital—was seized by former warlord Abdifatah Hassan Ali and his clan militia.

They claim to be establishing “Hiiraan State,” an initiative previously proposed but never recognized.

The Hirshabelle State, which governs Hiiraan, has not responded. Locals now fear violent clashes if Hirshabelle attempts to retake control.

Elders and exiled politicians from the Somaliland’s Awdal region, which borders Djibouti, have long advocated for federal member state status under Somalia.

Unable to safely campaign within Somaliland, they’ve been meeting in Mogadishu.

Tensions have also flared in Gedo, Jubbland, where community leaders have long rejected the leadership of Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe.

The NCC’s recent remarks about forming a “legal” Jubbaland have emboldened calls from Gedo clans to seek separation.

Residents of Banadir, which includes Mogadishu, continue to push for their own federal status. However, the federal government has been reluctant to allow this, fearing the loss of revenue generated by Mogadishu’s seaport and airport.

Ripple Effects on Existing States

Analysts warn that the SSC-Khaatumo decision may destabilize other federal states.

In Southwest State, some clans in Lower Shabelle have begun advocating for separation.

In Galmudug, residents of Elbur are discussing breaking away from the current state structure.

These growing fissures reflect the absence of a uniform, legally binding process for federalization—leaving room for political opportunism and rising clan-based fragmentation.

The post A Political Pandora’s Box: Somalia’s Recognition of SSC-Khaatumo as a Federal Member State appeared first on Kaab TV.

The statement, released Friday by the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs on social media platform X, warned that such unilateral actions would “lack legitimacy and distract from pressing security challenges.”

“All relevant stakeholders should have a say in changes to Somalia’s federal and election systems,” the statement read.

On Wednesday, President Hassan Sheikh’s office released a statement from the National Consultative Council (NCC) without the inclusion of Puntland and Jubaland. The statement announced plans to hold elections and move forward with a new, controversial initiative to establish a so-called “legitimate” Jubaland state—despite the current existence of Jubaland.

Deep political divisions

This diplomatic intervention comes as Somalia grapples with deep political divisions surrounding proposed changes to its federal constitution, championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

These controversial reforms have drawn criticism and rejection from several federal member states and key political stakeholders.

With just a year left in President Mohamud’s term, concerns are mounting over the lack of a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

Instead of building consensus, the president has appointed an electoral committee tasked with organizing a “one-person, one-vote” election—an initiative that has not received the endorsement of major political figures, regional leaders, or civil society organizations.

The U.S. warning is seen by many as a pivotal moment.

“The U.S. statement came at a crucial time when Somalia is facing a serious political and security crisis,” said Mohamed Hassan, leader of the newly established Somali Democratic Alliance party.

“Decisions imposed by one side will only deepen division. Right now, security is deteriorating, and extremist groups are gaining ground near Mogadishu, yet the government’s recent actions have alienated the public.”

Rashid Abdi, a prominent Horn of Africa analyst based in Kenya, described the statement as a significant shift in U.S. policy.

“Hassan Sheikh was hailed as a reformer exactly three years ago. Since then, he’s received strong Western backing. But that era is ending. Many now view him as an unreliable partner and even a destabilizing figure. The U.S. statement marks a turning point,” Abdi wrote on social media.

Somalia’s civil society also welcomed the move.

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate, said the message echoed longstanding concerns raised by independent civil society groups.

“Thank you @AsstSecStateAF and @StateDept for this strong and clear message. This is what we, as civil society actors, have been saying for a long time. Ignoring inclusive dialogue undermines peace and worsens the terror threat,” Mumin posted on X.

Some Somali parliamentarians also expressed their support, viewing the U.S. intervention as a step toward restoring trust and pushing for a more inclusive political process.

The post U.S. Statement Offers Relief Amid Somalia’s Political Crisis appeared first on Kaab TV.

The meeting notably excluded Jubbaland and Puntland, two key federal member states.

The NCC meeting, which began on Monday, marked the first formal inclusion of SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state.

“The council unanimously recognized SSC-Khaatumo as a member state of the Federal Republic of Somalia and agreed that the upcoming national conference should be concluded in accordance with the country’s constitution,” the concluding statement read.

Although expectations were high that the meeting would help address the widening rifts within Somalia’s federal system—which are undermining both security and humanitarian progress—the final communique instead appeared to escalate tensions, particularly with Jubbaland.

In a move seen as a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the Jubbaland administration, the NCC announced plans to potentially restructure its governance:

“The council agreed that the Ministry of Interior and Reconciliation of the Federal Government should present a proposal regarding the situation of the Jubbaland regional administration, in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws, in order to establish a legitimate regional governance system,” the communique stated.

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Surprisingly, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who chaired the NCC meeting, did not sign the communique, despite its apparent alignment with his political stance against federal rivals.

The communiqué also addressed other contentious issues, including the disputed national electoral process.

While the controversial National Electoral Commission continues with voter registration in Mogadishu, the communique urged federal member states to cooperate and allow registration in their respective regions.

So far, no regional state has permitted voter registration to begin.

This NCC gathering in Mogadishu comes as President Hassan Sheikh’s administration enters its final year in office.

Pressure is mounting for him to build consensus and stabilize the country, especially as Al-Shabaab insurgents continue to overrun towns and villages across southern and central Somalia.

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