Mogadishu (WDN) – Somalia’s deepening political crisis intensified further after opposition figures condemned the accreditation ceremony in which former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received the credentials of Djibouti’s newly appointed ambassador, describing the move as unconstitutional and legally invalid.

Oppositions stated that Hassan Sheikh is now a former president. After May 15, he no longer has the constitutional authority to determine diplomatic relations or make sovereign decisions on behalf of the country. They also called on regional and international partners to respect Somalia’s constitutional framework and avoid actions that could further inflame the country’s already fragile political environment.

Opposition politician Mohamed Adan Jimale “Koofi” sharply criticized the ceremony, arguing that Djibouti’s new envoy, Ambassador Col. Osman Dubbad, should have waited for what he described as “the next lawful president” before formally presenting diplomatic credentials.

“The ambassador of our brotherly nation Djibouti should have waited for the next legitimate president,” Koofi stated.

He further argued that Hassan Sheikh’s constitutional mandate expired on May 15 and that he no longer possesses the legal authority to conduct diplomatic affairs or make decisions of national significance on behalf of Somalia.

The controversy comes as Somalia faces mounting political uncertainty following the expiration of the federal government’s mandate without a broader political settlement on elections and constitutional legitimacy.

Opposition leaders and critics increasingly argue that the country has entered a dangerous political vacuum, while supporters of Hassan Sheikh maintain that the government continues to function pending a negotiated political transition.

The dispute reflects the growing polarization inside Somalia as tensions escalate over electoral legitimacy, federal authority, and the future direction of the Somali state.

With relations between Mogadishu and several federal member states already severely strained, analysts warn that disputes over constitutional legitimacy and executive authority could push the country deeper into political instability at a time when security threats and institutional fragmentation are already intensifying.

WardheerNews