By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, (Dawan) – Opposition figure Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has defended remarks he made regarding certain individuals, clarifying that his comments were not aimed at the traditional elders who took part in mediating the recent political confrontations in Mogadishu.
Speaking on the Miizaan Podcast, Abdishakur acknowledged the elders’ critical role in reducing tensions between government forces and groups associated with the opposition.
“Without them, the situation could have escalated further,” he said, referring to the mediating elders.
However, he emphasized that his criticism targeted individuals he described as politically aligned and working in favor of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
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“The people I referred to are those he established and who work on his projects,” Abdishakur stated.
He underlined the importance of distinguishing between recognized traditional elders involved in peacebuilding and individuals who, in his view, have become politically entangled.
Abdirahman concluded that accountability should be applied selectively, ensuring that traditional mediators are not conflated with politically motivated actors.