Monday February 17, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – A Somali opposition figure has alleged that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration has secretly assembled a 10,000-member special force to suppress political opposition in the country. 

Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, an opposition member, made the claim during a two-day conference of the Himilo Qaran political party in Mogadishu on Sunday. Citing internal intelligence sources, he asserted that the force was specifically trained to target opposition politicians and individuals the president views as political rivals. 

He urged government forces to remain apolitical and warned President Mohamud against using security personnel for political purposes. 

“The president has recruited a specially trained force, independent of the three main branches of the security forces, with the intent of targeting and disarming the opposition,” Hassan alleged. 

HOL has not independently verified this claim.

Somali opposition groups recently boycotted the electoral commission’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 elections, accusing the president of managing the electoral process unilaterally. Also, Puntland and Jubbaland states have opposed the federal government’s election plans, citing broader political and security concerns.