Somalia’s main opposition bloc announced Tuesday it will hold weekly protests in Mogadishu starting June 4 to pressure the federal government after talks failed to resolve a dispute over the country’s electoral process.
The Somali Salvation Council stated the demonstrations will occur every Thursday until a political agreement is reached on elections. Opposition leaders characterized the rallies as peaceful and encouraged residents of the capital to participate after the Eid holiday.
The announcement was made during a news conference in Mogadishu attended by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and other opposition figures.
“The terms of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the federal government and parliament had expired,” Sharif stated. He argued that any election conducted without broad political agreement could not be fully legitimate.
He mentioned that efforts last week to reach a deal on election issues had failed, adding that elections should not be managed by one side alone. He emphasized that political actors must agree on electoral committees, procedures and the timing of the vote.
Sharif also criticized recent elections in Mogadishu and Baidoa, stating they reflected the corruption and political division that can emerge when elections occur without consensus.
He accused the government of deploying troops to areas facing both armed conflict and political tension, claiming the decision had contributed to the deaths of soldiers and military officers.
Abdirahman Abdishakur asserted that Mohamud should now be considered a “former president,” arguing that his constitutional term had ended. He urged Mogadishu residents to join the planned demonstrations and indicated the opposition would maintain public pressure until an agreement is reached.
The federal government has rejected opposition claims that Mohamud’s mandate has expired. Officials note constitutional amendments approved by parliament extended federal institutions by one year and changed the presidential term from four years to five, making the current mandate run until May 15, 2027.
The opposition rejects those amendments, stating they were passed without broad political consensus and cannot be used to extend the president’s rule.
The dispute has intensified since three days of talks between the government and opposition leaders in Mogadishu concluded without agreement. The discussions focused on the electoral model, constitutional changes and the political transition.
International partners, including the United Nations, African Union and IGAD, have urged Somali leaders to resume dialogue, avoid escalation and seek an inclusive political agreement.
Federal officials indicate Somalia must move toward one-person, one-vote elections to expand public participation and end the indirect voting system. Opposition leaders maintain any direct election model must be based on political consensus, credible institutions and agreement with federal member states.