Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has accused opposition groups of organising armed militias, warning that the government will not tolerate actions threatening security and stability in Mogadishu.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia’s defence minister has accused some political opposition groups of organising armed militias and pursuing actions that he said threaten security and stability in the capital, Mogadishu, amid continuing political tensions between the federal government and its critics.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi made the allegations in a statement published on his Facebook page, accusing some opposition figures of seeking pretexts to mobilise armed groups.
The minister did not provide publicly verifiable evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegations, and there was no immediate response from the opposition groups he accused.
Fiqi referred to several incidents and attacks that he said took place in September 2025 and in May and June this year, arguing that government forces were not responsible for initiating the violence.
Instead, he accused the opposition-linked sides of having carried out attacks, without providing further details in the statement about the incidents or identifying all those allegedly involved.
The accusations come as Somalia faces an ongoing political dispute between the federal government and opposition figures over the country's political direction and governance, with concerns that the confrontation could spill over into the security situation in Mogadishu.
Fiqi stressed that the law must apply equally to all sides and warned that the government would not tolerate armed actions intended to undermine security in the capital.
He said the authorities would not allow armed movements that could endanger public safety, signalling the government's determination to prevent political disagreements from escalating into violence.
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The defence minister's remarks follow a period of heightened tensions between the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and opposition figures, some of whom have challenged government decisions and raised concerns about the country's political process.
The dispute has added to uncertainty in a country where the federal government is also battling Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked armed group that has waged an insurgency against the Somali state for more than 15 years.
Al-Shabaab continues to pose a major security threat, carrying out attacks against government institutions, security forces and civilians despite repeated military operations by Somali forces and international partners.
Analysts have long warned that political divisions in Mogadishu could complicate security efforts by diverting attention and resources from the fight against the insurgents.
However, the allegations made by Fiqi remain claims by a senior government official and could not be independently verified. No detailed evidence was presented in the statement to establish that the opposition groups he referenced were organising armed formations or planning attacks.
It was also unclear whether the government intended to take specific legal action against individuals accused of involvement in the alleged activities.
Somalia's federal authorities have repeatedly stressed the need to maintain public order, while opposition figures have continued to press their political demands amid disagreements over governance and the country's future political arrangements.
The latest warning highlights the risk that the political confrontation could further strain relations between the government and its opponents, particularly if accusations of armed mobilisation lead to new security measures or clashes in the capital.
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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