By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Interior Minister, Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh, has issued a strongly worded statement ahead of a conference due to open later on Tuesday in the southern port city of Kismayo, which will bring together opposition figures and leaders from the Jubbaland and Puntland regional administrations.
In a written statement, Mr Hosh said the Federal Government of Somalia does not oppose opposition groups holding meetings, emphasising that freedom of assembly is a constitutional right guaranteed to all Somali citizens.
“The Federal Government of Somalia always respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. This is a right enjoyed by every Somali citizen, and the government fully upholds it,” the minister said, adding that this marked a clear departure from practices under previous administrations.
However, Mr Hosh sharply criticised some of the opposition figures attending the Kismayo meeting, accusing them of lacking a genuine commitment to democratic principles and of working to undermine national unity.
“Can someone with no record of organising credible elections claim to advise on electoral matters?” he asked. “And can an individual who has spent four years contributing to division now speak about Somalia’s future?”
The interior minister further accused opposition leaders of resisting efforts to return political power to the public through direct elections. He said they opposed the introduction of a one-person, one-vote system, particularly for local council elections — a reform the federal government has repeatedly described as a cornerstone of Somalia’s democratic transition.
Mr Hosh said the government remained committed to holding direct elections and strengthening democratic institutions, arguing that such reforms were essential for long-term stability and good governance.
His remarks come as opposition leaders and officials from Jubbaland and Puntland prepare to formally open their conference in Kismayo. The meeting is expected to focus on Somalia’s electoral process, ongoing political disputes with the federal government, and the broader future of governance in the country.
Political tensions between Mogadishu and some federal member states have intensified in recent months, particularly over electoral reforms and the balance of power between the central government and the regions. Analysts say the outcome of the Kismayo talks could have significant implications for Somalia’s fragile political landscape.
