Somalia President Accused Of Attempting To Extend Term

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Before he won his second term two years ago, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud turned out to be a chief critic of constitutional violations, often accusing his predecessor Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of clandestine plans to extend his term.

So fierce was the battle that protests erupted across the country, from civilians, members of opposition to military officers, some who staged mutiny, accusing Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed alias Farmajo of infringement of cardinal constitutional principles.

Sustained pressure triggered Farmaajo’s pullout, with the strategy of extending term backfiring after the then Prime Minister Hassan Khaire standing grounds. But what seemed to be a national moment for Hassan Sheikh has turned out to be haunting ground.

The president is accused of plotting constitutional amendments to extend terms of regional leaders and himself, a paradoxical approach to the very matter that put him in limelight at that time.

Over the weekend, Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe walked out of the National Consultative Council (NCC), the supreme organ running Somalia's affairs. He accused Hassan of creating a constitutional conflict in the country.

Mohamud Aydid Dirir, Puntland’s Minister for Information, blamed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of failing to prepare for the country's 2026 elections. According to him, NCC had failed to thwart term extension.

"Hassan and his dictatorial principles hit the wall. He will be called out of Villa Somalia as he called Mohamed out in 2021," he said, while accusing the current leadership of 'manufacturing artificial crises'.

Dirir warned that President Hassan Sheikh's political ambitions could plunge the country into unprecedented instability, sparking a constitutional crisis as the 2026 elections approach. Ahead of 2026, Hassan Sheikh is pushing for universal suffrage elections against the will of many regional leaders.

Somalia is still a fragile democracy with leaders often getting embroiled in leadership tussles, making some situations ungovernable. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing still challenge from former leaders led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Farmajo.

GAROWE ONLINE