Somalia's former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has expressed concerns over the country's diplomatic approach, particularly with regional countries whose interests and alliances are at odds. He criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's recent diplomatic engagements, including visits to Ethiopia and Egypt. Sharif argued that Mogadishu risks undermining its national interests by seeking close relations with countries involved in regional rivalries. His remarks come as Somalia navigates complex relations with neighboring countries.
Sharif took aim at President Hassan Sheikh's diplomatic efforts, saying it is a disgrace for Somali diplomacy that the President lands in Addis Ababa and travels to Cairo the following day. He warned that Somalia could lose sight of its own priorities if it becomes entangled in disputes between rival governments and political blocs. The two countries have been at odds over several issues, including Ethiopia's ambitions to secure access to the Red Sea and Egypt's opposition to Addis Ababa's position on the Nile River.
Sharif emphasized that Somalia's foreign policy should be guided by shared interests, mutual benefits, good neighborly relations, and respect. He added that Somalia does not want to become indebted to or alienate any country. The former President's comments highlight concerns among some Somali political figures about how the federal government is balancing its relationships with regional powers at a time of heightened geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa.
Somalia has sought to strengthen ties with regional and international partners while defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the country's diplomatic choices have increasingly become a subject of domestic political debate, with opposition figures questioning whether the government's approach adequately protects national interests. Sharif also rejected the notion that Somalia's internal political crisis could be resolved through foreign intervention.
Sharif insisted that dialogue among Somalis was the only sustainable way forward to resolve the country's internal political crisis. He said the country had overcome even more difficult circumstances in the past because its people had recognized the need to sit together and negotiate. According to Sharif, Somalia had a political tradition of bringing leaders together every four years to hold elections and transfer power peacefully.
Sharif's comments come amid continued disagreements over Somalia's political future, including disputes over constitutional changes, electoral arrangements, and the terms of political leadership. He said reaching a compromise would be difficult if some leaders were determined to remain in office through what he described as oppression, injustice, theft, betrayal, and bloodshed. Sharif argued that political leaders must demonstrate a genuine willingness to make concessions if the country is to avoid further instability.
Somalia has struggled for decades to establish stable political institutions following the collapse of the central government in 1991. Although successive administrations have made efforts to strengthen federal institutions and improve governance, disagreements between political leaders have repeatedly complicated efforts to achieve consensus on elections and constitutional reforms. Sharif, who served as Somalia's President from 2009 to 2012, remains an influential political figure and has frequently criticized the federal government over its handling of national political affairs.
Key points
- Somalia's former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed criticizes government's diplomatic approach with regional countries.
- Sharif warns that Somalia could lose sight of its own priorities if it becomes entangled in disputes between rival governments and political blocs.
- Sharif insists that dialogue among Somalis is the only sustainable way forward to resolve the country's internal political crisis.
