By Goth Mohamed Goth
Mogadishu -The National Salvation Forum (Madasha Samata-bixinta Mucaaradka), chaired by former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has issued a statement accusing current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of undermining the core political agreements forming the foundation of Somalia’s Third Republic.
The Forum explicitly stated that the President’s actions are damaging the principles of collaboration and the agreed-upon state-building framework. They issued a strong warning about the dangers this poses to the nation’s future.
Regarding security, the Forum called for national unity against terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS (Daesh), urging the government to consolidate efforts to save the nation and preserve statehood. However, they sharply criticized the government’s military strategy, particularly its perceived neglect of the Somali National Army (SNA) and local militias.
The statement also expressed serious concern over the expired mandates of the Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Southwest regional states. The Forum condemned both the extensions of these mandates and the integration of the states into the President’s political party as illegal maneuvers. They asserted these actions reveal President Hassan Sheikh’s intent to extend his own term and secure unilateral victory in future elections.
The Forum further accused the President of exerting “political overreach’ over the Federal Member States of Puntland and Jubaland. They warned that his actions perpetuate political conflict, especially concerning the Gedo region, and demanded the immediate lifting of the blockade on areas under Jubaland administration.
To address the crisis, the Forum proposed an immediate National Conference involving:
1. Federal Government leaders
2. Federal Member State leaders
3. Opposition politicians
The goal would be to strategize on saving the nation and unifying efforts against terrorism.
They also strongly emphasized the urgent need to resolve conflicts stemming from:
* Controversial constitutional amendments
* Non-consensual electoral processes
* Management of the national economy
* Agreements on natural resources
Finally, the National Salvation Forum called for the resumption of dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland. They stressed this is essential to counter what they described as “foreign agendas seeking to partition the Somali nation.”
