MOGADISHU — A senior Turkish intelligence official has urged former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to avoid any actions that could spark violence or unrest in Mogadishu, as political tensions continue to rise in the Somali capital, a source close to Sharif told Horn Africa News on Thursday.
“The Turkish official advised the former president to stay away from anything that could lead to attacks or violence,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The source added that the ambassadors of the United States and Britain also held separate telephone conversations with Sharif, delivering similar messages and calling for restraint from all parties.
“They urged him not to take any action that could escalate the situation,” the source said.
A senior member of Sharif’s team accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of sharing what he described as false information with international partners regarding the political crisis.
“The president has been providing misleading information to members of the international community, which led many of them to contact Sharif directly to verify the situation,” the official told AFP.
Meanwhile, traditional elders and influential politicians from Sharif’s clan have intensified mediation efforts, urging the former president to accept reconciliation initiatives aimed at defusing tensions.
“We asked him to respond positively to the ongoing mediation efforts and to prioritize stability,” one elder involved in the talks said.
President Hassan Sheikh has adopted a hardline position in the dispute, according to political sources.
“He believes appeals and negotiations alone will not resolve the challenge posed by opposition figures and is determined to reduce their political influence,” a source familiar with the matter said.
The developments come amid growing concerns over Somalia’s political future, with disagreements over constitutional reforms, elections and governance threatening to deepen divisions between the government and opposition groups.
