Mogadishu, Somalia – Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly accused the federal government of discriminating against residents of the capital city by denying the right of residency to certain districts in Mogadishu, notably Kaxda district.

Sharif stated that the people of Kaxda have been denied their legitimate residency rights and are currently subjected to social pressure and forced registration under a one-sided electoral process that lacks fairness.

“I condemn the continued social pressure and forced biometric registration imposed on the residents of Kaxda, who have clearly been denied their residency rights, alongside a one-sided electoral process,” Sharif said.

The former president also expressed serious concerns over the increasing pressure on the people of Kaxda and the deteriorating situation they face.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed called on the National Independent Electoral Commission to halt the pressure being exerted on Mogadishu’s residents, warning that an election process without broad consensus threatens national unity and the integrity of Somalia’s democracy.

Kaxda District is among the areas whose residency status was recognized late. The government has said that this district is not included in the local council elections, but its people are being registered.