Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has challenged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s remarks on political compromise, insisting that decisions over Somalia’s electoral process must be made through consultation among the Somali people.
Sheikh Sharif’s comments come amid growing political disagreements over the federal election framework and the legitimacy of the disputed electoral commission.
“The decision belongs to the Somali people. No individual can claim to hold the decision alone, and that will never happen. If a decision is to be made, Somalis must consult one another, and Somalis will make their decision,” Sheikh Sharif said.
The disagreement intensified after the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced that parliamentary elections would be held on April 15, 2027, followed by the presidential election on May 15, 2027. The timetable has drawn objections from opposition leaders, who argue that the process lacks broad political consensus.
The federal government maintains that the electoral process is intended to advance direct elections and strengthen the country’s democratic system. Opposition figures, however, continue to call for negotiations and an inclusive agreement before the process moves forward.
The dispute now centres on who should determine Somalia’s electoral framework and how political leaders can reach an agreement acceptable to the country’s key stakeholders. Sheikh Sharif has warned that proceeding without consensus could deepen divisions and create competing electoral processes.
