By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 16 October 2026 Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of intending to seize power and stoke civil conflict.
In a statement issued on Friday, Farmajo said the steps taken by Hassan Sheikh and the remarks he made on Thursday night about suspending negotiations and an inclusive agreement reveal that intention.
In the press release, Farmajo referred to Hassan Sheikh as "former President" and as a president whose term has expired.
Farmajo said Hassan Sheikh had backed away from the talks held in recent months under the sponsorship of the international community. He also accused him of withdrawing from an agreement not to hold a federal-level election without consensus.
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According to Farmajo, this proves that Hassan Sheikh is not ready for consultation or an inclusive process. He argued that Hassan Sheikh's aim is to extend his term and hold an election whose outcome he has already written.
The former president urged international partners working to resolve the election disputes not to be deceived again by Hassan Sheikh's calls for agreement and dialogue. He said there was no goodwill or desire on Hassan Sheikh's part to achieve a transparent and inclusive election.
Farmajo's accusations come a day after former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed described the election schedule announced by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as one-sided. Sharif has also filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to annul the constitutional amendments.
The federal government argues that the constitution approved in 2026 provides the legal basis for one-person one-vote elections, a multiparty system and the establishment of an electoral commission. The opposition, which includes former senior government officials, along with the federal member states of Jubaland and Puntland, rejects both the constitution and the election schedule.