Source: TRT AFRIKA
By Nuri Aden
President Mohamud says dialogue is the most viable means of settling political disputes.
MOGADISHU — President Mohamud vows not to ‘allow Somalia to be destabilised’
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud vows to protect Somalia’s peace and territorial integrity.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has defended Somalia’s democratic transition and security gains, vowing that neither political unrest nor ‘‘armed intimidation’’ will be allowed to undermine the country’s hard-won progress.
Speaking during a farewell dinner for outgoing Speaker of Somali parliament and newly elected President of South West State Aden Mohamed Nur, the president emphasised that Somalia has emerged from decades of conflict and political fragmentation.
“Somalia will not return to the past,” President said, vowing that the government remains committed to preserving stability, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring peaceful resolution of political disputes.
“We will not allow Somalia to be destabilised,” he declared at the event on Saturday night, stressing that differences of political opinion must be addressed through dialogue and constitutional processes rather than violence.
He noted that over the past several years, the Federal Government has consistently sought engagement with political opponents, community leaders and other stakeholders to address concerns.
Security convoys unnecessary
Reflecting on his own experience, Hassan Sheikh revealed that before becoming President in September 2012, he had never lived under the protection of armed guards or security convoys.
“The first time in my life that a security officer accompanied the vehicle I was travelling in was when I was elected President,” he said.
President Mohamud said he has not been deterred by multiple assassination attempts against him by Al Shabab terrorists in the past.
“Although I am the President, and although the Khawarij (Al Shabab terrorists) have attempted to assassinate me on five occasions, something the Somali people are well aware of, both inside Mogadishu and beyond, I still do not believe that I need convoys of military vehicles and men waving guns around the city to protect me,” he said.
“Mogadishu has seen leaders whose movements shook the city,” he said. “They had larger convoys and bigger guns, but the country did not find peace through that.”
The President reaffirmed citizens’ constitutional right to express their views, organise demonstrations and participate in political activities peacefully.
Mohamud urges protection of public property
“You have the right to express your opinion. You have the right to protest,” he said.
Hassan Sheikh defended ongoing electoral reforms and local elections across Somalia, arguing that political authority should increasingly derive directly from citizens rather than appointments or informal power structures.
He praised communities that have participated peacefully in recent local and regional elections and called on Somalis to embrace democratic competition through political parties and representative institutions.
“The era of one man deciding everything has brought Somalia enough suffering,” he said. “Our future must be based on institutions, laws and the will of the people.”
He urged citizens against vandalisation of public infrastructure and called for the protection of roads and other public facilities recently reopened after years of insecurity.
