MOGADISHU, Somalia – A former Somali president has voiced deep concern about security in Mogadishu, warning that the capital remains “deeply infiltrated” by Al-Shabaab as the city prepares for long-awaited local elections this year.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who led the country during some of its most turbulent years, told the BBC on Wednesday that authorities must think carefully before sending residents to the polls on 25 December 2025.
“If anything happens, who will be responsible?” he asked, suggesting that holding an election under the current conditions “could undermine its credibility”.
A City Moving Forward — but Still on Edge
For many in Mogadishu, the elections represent hope: a chance to take part in the first one-person-one-vote municipal poll in decades. Streets are busier, new businesses have opened, and the capital has seen signs of renewal that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
But behind that progress lies a more unsettling reality. Al-Shabaab, the militant group fighting the Somali state for more than 17 years, still operates clandestine cells inside the city.
Despite round-the-clock security operations, assassinations and targeted attacks remain a risk — something residents are painfully familiar with.
Pressure on the Somalia’s Government
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said this persistent, hidden presence should not be underestimated. “People need to feel safe when they vote,” he said. “That’s the foundation of any meaningful election.”
The former president’s comments add to the growing pressure on Somali authorities, who have repeatedly promised a secure and credible ballot. Officials insist preparations are under way and that security plans will ensure the vote goes ahead.
But for many citizens, the question remains: will Mogadishu be safe enough by this December? For now, Mr Ahmed’s warning has rekindled a familiar debate — one that sits at the heart of Somalia’s struggle to move from conflict toward stable democracy.
