Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam has sharply criticized Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing the federal government of pursuing what he described as a “rigged election process” while subjecting civilians to ongoing displacement and pressure.
Speaking during Eid-Ul Al-Adha celebrations on Wednesday, President Ahmed Islam delivered a strongly worded address in which he questioned the direction of the country’s political leadership. He alleged that the federal government is advancing an election plan that lacks transparency and fairness, warning it risks undermining national unity and public trust.
“The current process amounts to an election being manipulated,” he said, adding that it is coupled with a wider pattern of coercion and forced displacement affecting ordinary citizens.
The Jubbaland President emphasized that stakeholders within the Somali Future Council have made repeated efforts to seek dialogue and a peaceful political settlement. However, he claimed that these efforts have not been met with meaningful compromise from President Hassan Sheikh’s administration.
“We have demonstrated our readiness for talks and solutions, but there has been no genuine willingness for consensus or mutual understanding from the federal leadership,” he stated.
The Jubaland leader underscored that Somalia urgently needs stability, unity, and an inclusive political framework that reflects the will of all stakeholders. He warned against policies that, in his view, deepen divisions and fuel political repression instead of fostering cooperation.
He further called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to immediately halt the displacement of civilians and address what he described as worsening humanitarian conditions facing the population.
“Somali citizens are grappling daily with extremely difficult circumstances and growing grievances,” Ahmed Islam said, urging swift action to alleviate their suffering.
The Jubaland president stressed that safeguarding national cohesion and ensuring justice must remain the foremost responsibility of the country’s leadership. He reiterated the importance of conducting free, fair, and widely accepted elections as the cornerstone of Somalia’s political future.
The comments highlight continuing tensions between federal and regional authorities as Somalia navigates a complex political landscape ahead of anticipated electoral processes.
