President Questions Opposition Protest Timing During SouthWest Elections

MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has questioned the timing of a planned opposition protest, which coincided with the first day of historic one‑person, one‑vote elections in the South West State and a scheduled national consultation meeting in the capital. Speaking on the country’s political and security situation, the president described the voting as a major step toward transferring political authority directly to Somali citizens after decades of indirect electoral methods. He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to implementing universal suffrage nationwide, enabling Somalis to choose their leaders directly. The government later stated that it had implemented lawful measures to maintain public order after the protest failed to materialize, but the president’s remarks highlighted the widening rift between the executive and opposition figures.

President Hassan Sheikh commended the residents of the South West State for their peaceful participation in the “one person, one vote” elections. “Today, citizens in 13 districts exercised their democratic right to elect local councils and representatives of the South West State administration. As we speak near the end of the day, no major security threats or disruptions have occurred, and people continue to stand in long queues to vote,” the president said. He also commended Somali security forces for protecting the electoral process and preventing attempts by “Al‑Shabaab militants and other anti‑state actors” to sabotage the democratic exercise. More than 376,000 registered voters participated in the historic polls, which marked a departure from decades of indirect, clan‑based voting.

Turning to the situation in Mogadishu, the president criticized what he described as politically motivated protests meant to destabilize the country. He questioned why the demonstration was called on the same day as the elections and a government‑backed national dialogue session. “The protest was not organized in good faith; it was intended to create instability in Somalia,” he said, adding that while the government respects citizens’ constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully, it will not tolerate disorder or armed intimidation. Opposition leaders had confirmed they would go ahead with the protest despite federal objections, linking it to forced evictions and land disputes. However, the demonstration was largely prevented after authorities deployed thousands of security personnel, blocked major roads and imposed a security lockdown. At least one person died when security forces dispersed small gatherings, according to opposition figures and witness reports.

The president also alleged that opposition factions disrupted a government initiative aimed at resolving political disagreements over the electoral framework. He claimed that security forces had to intervene after opposition supporters reportedly displayed heavy weaponry during protest preparations. “Demonstrations are permissible, expressions of opinion are allowed, and these are constitutional rights, but there should be no protests where dangerous elements can conceal themselves,” Hassan Sheikh stated. Forced evictions and land disputes have become a central flashpoint, with previous government-led demolition operations sparking armed clashes between rival security factions.

The president urged opposition politicians to present constructive political platforms and viable solutions for the country rather than “exploiting public emotions.” He warned that political maneuvering for personal gain could undermine hard‑won stability and distract from the pressing fight against Al‑Shabaab. Opposition leaders have declared that the president will lose his legal authority after May 15 unless national elections are held or a constitutional alternative is agreed upon, while former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has also called for an inclusive electoral framework before the term ends, warning that a lack of consensus could trigger further instability. The South West State elections proceeded without major security incidents, and vote counting is ongoing. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has warned against the dissemination of unofficial results and vowed to take legal action against those who circulate unconfirmed tallies.