Wednesday May 28, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Key Somali opposition figures are expected to hold a high-level conference in Mogadishu on Wednesday, focusing on the country’s election process and general security, amid rising political tensions with the federal government.
Opposition members confirmed to local media that the conference aims to deliberate the future of Somalia, with elections taking center stage.
The gathering comes at a critical time when debates over the electoral process have intensified, with accusations of unilateralism leveled against the federal government.
The conference is set to bring together a powerful lineup of former Somali leaders, including Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Ministers Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Hassan Ali Kheyre, Abdi Farah Shirdoon, and Mohamed Hussein Rooble, former Speakers of the House Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Mohamed Mursal. Also expected are current MPs, former ministers, and other influential political figures.
The gathering is viewed as a significant show of force by the opposition, demonstrating their unity and concern over the direction of Somalia’s political process.
The Federal Government has recently warned political leaders not to mobilize heavy weapons into the capital during the event, citing security concerns. Officials cautioned that the presence of armed guards could jeopardize the safety of the city, already on high alert due to threats from extremist groups.
The opposition, however, appears determined to proceed with the conference, signaling growing resistance to the government’s management of political affairs and a push for inclusive and agreed-upon electoral mechanisms.
The outcome of the conference could set the tone for Somalia’s political landscape in the coming months, as the nation edges closer to a crucial transitional period.
