Mogadishu- (WDN)-As Somalia moves toward the 2026 elections, political consultations are intensifying — but so are divisions. At the center is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s unilateral push for a one person, one vote system, despite widespread insecurity and the absence of a national consensus.

Adding a new layer to the political drama, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo — widely seen as the original architect of the centralized electoral model Hassan is now advancing — has reemerged as a vocal critic. In a twist of irony, Farmaajo is now warning against the very unilateralism he once practiced, urging Hassan to adopt a more inclusive and negotiated approach.

Former President Farmaajo has launched a scathing critique of President Hassan, accusing him of deepening Somalia’s political instability through unilateral decisions and a blatant disregard for national consensus.

In a strongly worded statement, Farmaajo highlighted what he described as President Hassan’s “continued deviation from inclusive governance,” accusing him of convening political consultations that are neither representative nor grounded in the legal framework under which he was elected.

“The President is not serious about addressing the political crisis,” said Farmaajo. “His so-called consultative forums are a façade. He handpicks the participants, sets the agenda alone, and ignores the real issues dividing the country.”

President Hassan had called for a “National Consultative Conference” on June 1, touting it as a platform to address Somalia’s pressing political issues. However, Farmaajo argues that the very design of the meeting—who was invited, who was excluded, and what topics were prioritized—was proof of the President’s unwillingness to face the country’s complex political reality.

“Matters affecting the destiny of the Somali people and the structure of our governance require collective ownership,” Farmaajo said. “Instead, the President is choosing to bulldoze through decisions as if this country belongs to one man.”

Farmaajo’s criticism centers on President Hassan’s unilateral approach to core issues such as constitutional reform and electoral process design—moves many view as deeply destabilizing. The former president points out that the President has drafted and is now attempting to implement a series of controversial amendments to the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC), including changes to the 11 untouched chapters previously considered the foundation of national consensus.

Hassan’s top-down agenda risks reigniting political fragmentation and derailing Somalia’s fragile progress, without genuine dialogue and broad-based agreement. The pursuit of electoral reform with no consensus not only deepens mistrust among key stakeholders, including federal member states and opposition figures, but also threatens to reverse hard-won gains in stability and governance.

If Somalia is to move forward, it must do so through inclusive negotiations, respect for institutional processes, and a commitment to unity over unilateralism. Otherwise, the country risks plunging back into the very cycles of political discord it has struggled for decades to escape.

WardheerNews