Former Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accuses the federal government of intimidating opposition leaders and raises concerns over alleged cooperation with Al-Shabaab to target political opponents.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia’s former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has accused the federal government of putting pressure on opposition politicians, alleging that cooperation between authorities and Al-Shabaab to target political opponents could not be ruled out.
Sheikh Sharif made the allegations in an interview discussing political tensions, security in the capital Mogadishu and a deepening dispute over the country’s electoral process.
Asked whether the government and Al-Shabaab could cooperate in targeting opposition figures, the former president said such a scenario was possible. He added that attempts to plan similar actions had been raised on several occasions, but provided no further details or evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The claims come amid heightened political tensions between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration and opposition leaders over constitutional changes, electoral arrangements and the future direction of Somalia’s political system.
Sheikh Sharif said he believed Hassan wanted to sideline the opposition to consolidate his power and govern the country without meaningful political resistance.
The former president also described an incident on October 10, when security forces arrived near his residence in Mogadishu, saying the deployment was part of a campaign to intimidate opposition politicians.
He said the situation had since eased but that restrictions and security measures around his home remained a concern.
These included difficulties for visitors entering the residence, searches of people arriving there and surveillance cameras that he said had been installed in the surrounding area.
Sheikh Sharif accused the government of using state institutions to pursue political interests rather than serve the public, warning that security agencies should not be deployed to intimidate political opponents.
He rejected suggestions that his security arrangements posed a threat to stability in the capital, saying his guards were officially registered government personnel rather than militia members.
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Security forces, he argued, should operate within the law and fulfil their constitutional responsibilities instead of serving individual political interests.
The former president called for security institutions to remain independent and warned against diverting them from their legally mandated duties.
Somalia has faced recurring political disputes over elections and constitutional arrangements, with opposition figures demanding an inclusive process and guarantees that electoral competition will be conducted fairly.
Sheikh Sharif said the dispute could be resolved through dialogue leading to free and credible elections, with all parties respecting the constitution and the country's institutional framework.
He insisted that the opposition was not afraid of elections but needed a process trusted by all political stakeholders.
He also criticised restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, arguing that citizens had a constitutional right to express their views and protest peacefully.
The former president urged the government to refrain from using security forces to suppress dissent and instead prioritise negotiations to reach a political agreement on elections.
His remarks underscore the widening divide between the government and opposition leaders as disagreements over electoral rules and political legitimacy continue to challenge efforts to build consensus in Somalia.
The allegations concerning possible cooperation between government officials and Al-Shabaab could not be independently verified. Sheikh Sharif did not provide further details to support the claims in the account of the interview.
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.
