Somalia: President Hassan Sheikh is not a reformist leader, Deni says

BOSASO, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh's tactics have been put to the test again with Puntland president Said Abdullahi Deni expressing concerns over the state of affairs in the country, with just a year to elections in the Horn of Africa nation, which is still experiencing political tensions.

According to Deni, Somalia risks sliding into crisis, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of pursuing a “manipulative and dangerous” agenda under the guise of democratic reform.

His sentiment comes after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud launched Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) which brought together his allies from Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Southwest, excluding Puntland and Jubaland, given their persistent criticism over his leadership.

The two states had questioned the idea behind constitutional reforms in the country without involvement of many stakeholders — forcing them to oppose ongoing push to hold direct elections without proper infrastructure and agreement.

Hassan Sheikh's party was also slammed by Puntland’s environment minister, Mohamed Abdirahman, who maintained that the party only triggers further divisions in the country, weakening the fragile federal system in the process.

“The so-called Revolutionary Party declared in Mogadishu has further crushed the hopes of the Somali nation. Instead of uniting the people, it exacerbates divisions and weakens our fragile federal system," added the minister, speaking to University students in Garowe.

Elsewhere, a coalition of former Somali presidents, prime ministers, and opposition figures has released a hard-hitting statement condemning the current administration and calling for urgent political dialogue.

In the statement, the group declared that the National Consultative Council (NCC) has effectively collapsed and been replaced by what they described as a “partisan political body.” They urged immediate and inclusive consultations involving all major political stakeholders to address the country’s mounting challenges.

The communiqué also warned against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s alleged attempts to reassert control over the federal member state of Jubbaland, describing the move as a “dangerous power grab” that could further destabilise the fragile federal system in Somalia

GAROWE ONLINE