MOGADISHU — Former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed hosted a high-level political meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday, bringing together influential figures amid growing tensions over elections and constitutional reforms.
Participants included prominent opposition figures such as Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, Senator Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdiid, former intelligence chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, and lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow, according to sources familiar with the talks.
The meeting, held at Sharif’s residence, focused on Somalia’s fragile political landscape, with particular concern over the lack of consensus on the framework for upcoming elections. Attendees warned that failure to agree on an electoral model could undermine the credibility of the process and risk deepening political instability, at a time when the country is still recovering from years of conflict and political fragmentation.
Discussions also addressed proposed amendments to the constitution, which some participants criticised as lacking broad-based national consultation. Critics say the changes risk centralising power in the executive and weakening the federal arrangement that underpins relations between Mogadishu and regional states, potentially triggering new political disputes.
Analysts say the meeting reflects growing coordination among opposition figures seeking to present a unified stance on key national issues, particularly the electoral process and constitutional review, both of which have historically been sources of tension in Somalia’s state-building efforts.
Separately, clashes erupted in Dayniile District between government forces and residents resisting eviction from properties claimed by the state. Witnesses said security forces moved to clear the area, prompting armed resistance from some residents and sparking an exchange of fire.
Local sources reported casualties, although exact figures remain unclear. The confrontation has heightened fears of further unrest linked to land disputes, a recurring source of conflict in the capital, where rapid urban expansion and unclear property ownership often fuel tensions.
The situation in Dayniile remained tense late Wednesday, with residents expressing concern that additional forced evictions could trigger further violence if authorities fail to reach a negotiated settlement.
