MOGADISHU – Somali political analyst Professor Afyare Elmi has criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s political leadership, arguing that delays in decision-making have weakened opportunities to resolve the country’s growing political disputes.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, Professor Elmi said timing was crucial in politics but argued that President Hassan Sheikh had repeatedly failed to take appropriate action when opportunities for political compromise were available.
Elmi also questioned the credibility of the president’s calls for dialogue and political compromise, suggesting that such appeals were increasingly losing their influence among political stakeholders opposed to the federal government.
The professor further suggested that political negotiations could move beyond Mogadishu, potentially shifting to Kampala or another regional capital.
Using the metaphor of a train that has already left several stations, Elmi described what he considers the president’s repeated failure to respond to political developments at the right time.
He warned that the consequences of the ongoing political crisis could extend beyond the president’s administration, potentially affecting Somalia’s stability, its people and the country’s state institutions.
Professor Elmi urged the president to recognize the scale of the political challenges facing his administration and avoid waiting until all opportunities for a negotiated settlement have disappeared.
His comments come amid continuing political disagreements over governance, the country’s political direction and relations between the federal government and opposition groups.
Elmi’s statement highlights concerns about the future of political dialogue and the need for compromise to prevent further divisions and protect Somalia’s state institutions.
He concluded with a warning that political opportunities do not remain open forever, and leaders who fail to act at the right moment may eventually find that the opportunity for an agreement has passed.
