When the military took power in 1969, it suspended the constitution, banned political parties, and closed all competitive political channels. Those with political ambitions crossed the border and organized clans to seize power by force. The result was a brutal civil war that began in 1978.
After 21 years of military rule and 10 years of state collapse, Somalis gathered in Arta and agreed to an incomplete political settlement aimed at reinstating the state. Given the experiences of the military dictatorship and subsequent chaos, Somalis became sensitive to anyone attempting to grasp power through illegal means. The most important message from the delegates was “never again to a dictatorship.”
Consequently, the most important component of the political settlement was that there would be no security for regimes; when the mandate ends, there must be a transition, either through elections or Somali way/ political dispensation/ indirect elections. In practice, six presidents, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo,” and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have succeeded one another.
Unfortunately, after 25 years of the Third Republic, President @HassanSMohamud is openly engaged in power-grabbing beyond his mandate. Today, April 14, 2026, the four-year mandate of Parliament has ended. On May 15, 2026, the president’s four-year term will also conclude. As of now, there is no political agreement among politicians regarding the upcoming transition. The president, using his Ministry of Truth, to borrow Orwell’s doublespeak, wants to remain in power through fake elections and the support of well-meaning external partners.
This is unacceptable. It will undermine the achievements of the last 25 years, as well as Somali and international investments.
Mr. President: Your actions and inactions will deepen polarization and fragmentation. Please revert to the constitution that has given you your mandate and work with political groups to reach a political agreement as soon as possible. Stop arresting the citizens who are peacefully voicing their views.
Opposition Groups: Avoid a parallel process. Seek change through peaceful means.
Somali People: We all have a responsibility to peacefully say NO to power-grabbers, regardless of who they are.
International community and external partners: Please support the political transition and pressure all parties to agree on a way forward.
Dr. Afyare A. Elmi
Research Professor at City University and Polical Analyst
