By Horn Africa News
MOGADISHU – Somalia’s political tensions deepened Saturday after former president and opposition figure Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of orchestrating a coercive electoral process designed to secure his re-election.
Sharif described the process as a “one-man, one-gun” election, alleging that security forces are forcing citizens—including hospital-bound patients—into voter registration queues. “A credible election cannot proceed without broad consensus,” he warned, pointing to outright rejection by Puntland and Jubaland states.
He further accused the federal government of seeking to shut down the United Nations political office in Mogadishu to remove international scrutiny, while diverting military resources from the fight against Al-Shabaab to suppress political opposition.
Sharif’s remarks followed deadly clashes in Mogadishu, where rival factions within the same military unit reportedly fought over forced evictions tied to lucrative land sales.
The National Electoral Commission claims one million people have registered in the capital, but its independence is widely questioned.
IRights groups and political critics warn the process risks fueling instability at a time when Al-Shabaab is making new gains and Somalia faces ongoing constitutional uncertainty.
