MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has defended his administration’s record on state-building and democratic reforms, saying that Somalia today has transformed significantly compared with the country that existed during the transitional government period.
Addressing lawmakers during the opening of the Eighth Session of the Federal Parliament, President Hassan Sheikh said Somalia has moved into a new political phase characterized by stronger institutions, improved security structures, and efforts to establish a democratic system based on direct public participation.
“Today’s Somalia is not the Somalia where you were the transitional president,” Hassan Sheikh said, referring to leaders who governed the country during the transitional period.
The president said the challenges facing Somalia today are different from those of the past, arguing that the country has progressed from a period of rebuilding temporary institutions toward strengthening a permanent federal state.
He pointed to developments in Somalia’s political and security sectors, including the expansion of government authority, reforms within national institutions, ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab, and efforts to establish a one-person, one-vote electoral system.
Hassan Sheikh stressed that Somalia’s future depends on strong institutions, accountable leadership, and a political system where citizens have a direct role in selecting their representatives. He said his government remains committed to completing constitutional reforms and creating conditions for inclusive elections.
The president also highlighted the role of Parliament in Somalia’s transformation, praising lawmakers for passing legislation, overseeing government institutions, and contributing to the country’s state-building process.
His remarks come amid continued political discussions over Somalia’s electoral framework, federal relations, constitutional amendments, and preparations for future national elections. Some opposition figures and former leaders have raised concerns over the pace and direction of political reforms, while the government maintains that its approach is aimed at strengthening democracy and national unity.
Hassan Sheikh urged Somali political leaders to focus on cooperation and the country’s long-term interests, saying that Somalia’s current circumstances require forward-looking solutions rather than a return to the political challenges of the transitional era.
The president’s statement reflects the broader debate over Somalia’s political evolution—from a country emerging from decades of instability and transitional administrations to a state seeking to consolidate democratic governance, security, and institutional stability.
