Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have issued a joint statement denouncing the establishment of the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission as unconstitutional and illegitimate.

The leaders criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of altering the constitution and passing laws that serve personal interests, instead of adhering to the framework already in place.

The statement highlights that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came into office while Somalia already had a provisional constitution, an electoral commission, and laws governing elections and political parties.

However, the opposition leaders claim that these institutions were disregarded and replaced with mechanisms tailored to the president’s preferences.

They further argued that the newly appointed commission lacks transparency and independence, warning that its actions could exacerbate political instability in the country.

“The creation of this commission and related election laws risks plunging Somalia into deeper divisions and political uncertainty,” the statement read.

This criticism comes at a time of heightened political tensions between the Federal Government and Somalia’s regional states. Jubaland State has recently clashed with the federal government over electoral disagreements, while Puntland has severed ties with the administration following the controversial approval of constitutional chapters earlier this year.

The opposition leaders urged Somali citizens and international stakeholders to refrain from endorsing the newly established commission and instead called for collaborative efforts to build a consensus-driven, inclusive electoral framework.

The trio emphasized their readiness to engage in dialogue to resolve the current challenges, provided the process respects constitutional frameworks and includes mechanisms for accountability and transparency.