Mogadishu, Somalia – Political tensions in Somalia are reaching a boiling point as opposition leaders threaten to hold their own election if President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud moves forward with his controversial electoral plan.

The opposition, led by prominent figures including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, gathered in Mogadishu to voice their concerns. The meeting wasn’t held in a hotel or an official venue—instead, it took place on a rooftop under a makeshift tent. The reason? The government had reportedly banned opposition meetings in the capital’s hotels, leaving them with few options.

In a strongly worded statement, opposition leaders accused President Mohamud of mishandling the country’s resources, imposing unfair taxes on Mogadishu businesses, drafting a new constitution without consensus, and ignoring Puntland’s efforts to fight ISIS. But what concerns them most is the claim that the President is deploying more than 10,000 troops to silence dissent ahead of the election—a move that, they warn, could push the country toward authoritarian rule and even conflict.

The stakes are high. Somalia has fought for years to rebuild itself after decades of war and instability. But opposition leaders argue that Mohamud’s unilateral approach to elections could undo those hard-won gains. Some warn that if the President doesn’t change course, Somalia could slip back into the chaos of the past.

Despite the backlash, Mohamud remains firm in his decision. He insists on transitioning Somalia to a one-person, one-vote system—a move he says will strengthen democracy. “Those who oppose this process will be ignored,” he declared, making it clear that he has no intention of backing down.

But many aren’t convinced. Regional states like Puntland and Jubaland, along with opposition figures, say that a nationwide direct election is unrealistic given Somalia’s security challenges. They argue that the government doesn’t control large parts of the country, making it nearly impossible to organize a fair and credible vote. Instead, they want to stick with the traditional system, where elders select members of parliament, who then choose the president—a model that was last used in 2022.

For now, the government isn’t budging. Both Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre believe returning to the old system would be a step backward.

As tensions continue to rise, many Somalis fear what comes next. With insurgencies, economic struggles, and political divisions already weighing heavily on the country, this deepening rift could add yet another layer of uncertainty. What happens in the coming months could shape the nation’s future—and determine whether Somalia moves forward or risks another painful chapter of instability.