Former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has rejected NISA allegations against his security guards, accusing government forces of imposing restrictions around his residence and warning of a possible escalation.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Sunday rejected allegations by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) that members of his security detail were involved in activities threatening security in the capital, escalating tensions between the opposition and the federal government.
NISA said armed men carrying AK-47 rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had forcibly entered houses in the Tiintiinley neighbourhood of Mogadishu’s Wadajir district. The agency presented what it described as evidence of the incident and accused forces linked to the former president of disrupting security.
Sharif denied the allegations in a statement issued on October 11, describing the claims against his guards as false and warning against what he said were attempts to mislead the public and damage the reputation of opposition politicians.
The former leader, who served as Somalia’s president from 2009 to 2012, instead accused government forces of imposing security restrictions around his residence, including roadblocks and movement restrictions that he said had disrupted daily life in the surrounding area.
He said residents had faced obstacles in accessing essential supplies, including water and food, but that his side had exercised restraint to avoid an armed confrontation.
Sharif also alleged that a large number of armed personnel had been deployed near his residence and that some employees working at his office had been abducted. The claims could not be independently verified.
The former president said the incidents had raised serious security concerns and called for any misconduct to be documented and those responsible held accountable, regardless of whether they had acted in the name of state institutions.
He said he recognised the importance of national security, the independence of security institutions and respect for the law, but argued that these principles must apply equally to all citizens and politicians, regardless of their political affiliations.
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“National security institutions must remain independent of political competition and operate within the law,” he said in the statement.
Sharif warned that unresolved political disputes should not be allowed to trigger armed confrontation, saying Somalia could not afford another security crisis amid humanitarian challenges caused by severe weather, flooding, displacement and reported seizures of property and land.
He also accused the authorities of using unverified security allegations to exert political pressure on opposition figures seeking an electoral process based on consensus. The accusations against the government were not independently confirmed.
The dispute comes amid a broader political standoff over Somalia’s electoral process and the legitimacy of the federal government’s mandate. Opposition figures have challenged the government’s handling of constitutional and electoral issues, while the administration has defended its political and institutional positions.
Sharif said he had no interest in provoking insecurity or bloodshed and called for dialogue, mutual trust and an agreed electoral framework to resolve the dispute.
He urged the government, security agencies, politicians and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could worsen tensions. He also called on Somalia’s international partners to encourage transparency, accountability and a political settlement.
Sharif said the government would bear responsibility for any consequences arising from unlawful actions or steps that could provoke armed clashes, reiterating that he favoured a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
NISA’s allegations and Sharif’s counterclaims had not been independently verified. Neither account, on its own, establishes responsibility for the reported incidents.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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