MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a strong warning to opposition politicians, saying the government will not allow political disagreements to escalate into armed confrontation or threaten the authority of the state.
The president said that political disputes should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms rather than violence. He warned that any attempt by political actors to take up arms against the government would be treated as a security threat.
“If those who wrote it bring their weapons, we will fight them as we fight al-Shabaab and Daesh,” Hassan Sheikh said, according to remarks attributed to him.
The statement has attracted attention because of the president’s direct comparison between a potential armed opposition and Somalia’s militant groups, particularly al-Shabaab and Daesh, against which government forces and their international partners have been conducting military operations.
Hassan Sheikh’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Somalia, with disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures focusing on elections, constitutional and political reforms, and the broader direction of the country’s political process.
Opposition politicians have raised concerns over the government’s handling of key political decisions and have called for broader consultations among political stakeholders. The government, meanwhile, has maintained that its political and institutional reforms are intended to strengthen state institutions and advance the country’s electoral process.
The president has repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving Somalia’s stability, sovereignty and national institutions. Government officials have also warned against actions that could undermine public order or create conditions for renewed political violence.
The latest warning underscores the increasingly sensitive relationship between the federal government and sections of the political opposition. Analysts and political observers have frequently cautioned that disagreements over elections and political reforms could deepen divisions if they are not addressed through dialogue and consensus-building.
The remarks also come against the backdrop of Somalia’s wider security challenges. The country continues to confront al-Shabaab, which has carried out attacks against government forces, civilians and public institutions despite ongoing military operations.
The government has sought to distinguish between legitimate political opposition and armed groups, emphasizing that political disagreements can be expressed through peaceful and constitutional means.
However, the strong language used by the president has raised questions about how the government would respond if political tensions were to develop into armed confrontation.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the president’s remarks, including the exact date, location and full context of the statement, should be confirmed through an official recording, transcript or statement from the presidency before drawing broader conclusions about the government’s position.
The comments are likely to fuel further debate over Somalia’s political transition and the need for dialogue between the federal government and opposition groups as the country moves through a politically sensitive period.
