Mogadishu (WDN)- In a major political development, nine prominent Somali politicians have formally declared their collective support for former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdoon “Saacid” in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.

The announcement marks the formation of a new political alliance named “Heybad Qaran” (National Dignity), a coalition that brings together political figures who have resigned from their previous parties and political movements to rally behind Saacid’s candidacy.

Although the group includes figures whose outsized ambitions and influence has not served the public good, nevertheless, the move is a direct challenge to the current administration, positioning Heybad Qaran as a formidable new force in Somali politics ahead of the 2026 elections. 

The nine founding members of Heybad Qaran are:

1) Abdikarim Hussein Guled – former Galmudug President
2) Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir – former National Intelligence Chief
3) Mohamed Abukar Islow Ducaale – former Minister of Internal Security
4) Thabit Abdi Mohamed – former Mayor of Mogadishu
5) Guled Salah Barre – former Puntland Minister
6) Abdi Aden Hoosow – former federal minister
7) Abdirizak Khilaaf Ahmed – former Somaliland Speaker of Parliament
8) Farah Ali Shire – former Puntland Minister
9) Ducaale Aden Mohamed –former minister and  civil society activist  

The new  alliance signals a significant realignment ahead of the 2026 polls, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape. Heybad Qaran  group described Saacid as a consensus candidate capable of restoring national unity, economic stability, and institutional integrity, emphasizing that their alliance seeks to “rescue the country from political stagnation and centralized mismanagement.”  

WardheerNews