MOGADISHU — Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has accused the federal government of targeting his staff and restricting access to his residence in Mogadishu, as competing allegations between his office and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) fuel concerns over a possible security escalation in the capital.
In a statement issued Sunday, Sharif rejected NISA’s allegations that members of his security detail had attacked government forces in Wadajir district. His office accused government forces of deploying near his residence, abducting some staff members and imposing restrictions that disrupted movement and deliveries of essential supplies, including food and water.
Sharif’s office said his security personnel had exercised restraint to prevent an armed confrontation and urged government authorities to avoid actions that could endanger civilians.
“National security agencies must remain independent of political rivalries, operate within the law and protect all citizens equally,” the statement said, calling on NISA to provide an accurate account of the incidents.
NISA Alleges Attacks by Sharif’s Security Personnel
In a separate statement, NISA accused armed men allegedly acting under Sharif’s orders of attacking its Public Guard forces in the General Da’ud sector of Wadajir district.
The agency alleged that members of Sharif’s security detail, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, BKM machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, had forcibly entered homes in the Tiintiinley neighborhood.
NISA further claimed that the same group attacked its forces on June 24, 2026, and abducted a soldier carrying out official duties. It also alleged that security operations in the General Da’ud area were obstructed on June 27.
The agency said its personnel had demonstrated restraint and professionalism to prevent further escalation and protect civilians. It also stressed that it would not allow security forces to be drawn into political disputes.
The allegations could not be independently verified, and Sharif’s office has denied the accusations against his security personnel.
Dispute Raises Concerns Over Civilian Safety
The exchange of accusations has heightened uncertainty in Wadajir district, particularly in the Tiintiinley neighborhood, where residents have reportedly expressed fears of possible armed clashes.
Sharif’s office warned that security allegations should not be used to intimidate opposition figures or exert political pressure on those advocating for a consensus-based electoral process.
The former president reiterated that political disputes should be resolved through dialogue, mutual trust and an agreed electoral framework. He also called on the federal government, security agencies, political leaders and international partners to support transparency, accountability and a peaceful resolution to the country’s political disagreements.
Calls for Restraint and Accountability
Sharif’s office urged that all reported incidents be documented and independently investigated, emphasizing that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing while acting in the name of the state should be held accountable.
The dispute unfolds amid broader political disagreements in Somalia over the electoral process and relations between the federal government and opposition figures.
Both sides have presented conflicting accounts of the security incidents, leaving key questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding the alleged attacks, the reported abduction of a security officer and the restrictions around Sharif’s residence.
Further independent verification is needed to establish the facts.
With tensions remaining high, calls for restraint and dialogue have taken on renewed importance as Somalia seeks to prevent political disagreements from escalating into violence that could threaten civilian lives and stability in Mogadishu.
