Somalia’s former President and opposition leader, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has accused the current administration of enabling Al-Shabaab’s resurgence by prioritising controversial land sales over national security.
He alleged that the militant group is rapidly advancing across the country while the government is preoccupied with what he described as illegal transfers of public land to wealthy business interests.
In a stark assessment of Somalia’s deteriorating security landscape, Sharif warned that the country is slipping into the hands of Al-Shabaab as the national army fragments. He criticised President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for failing to lead the country at a time of escalating insecurity and said the government’s actions have eroded the morale of frontline troops.
“The country has been captured by Al-Shabaab, it is taking over and the army has disintegrated,” Sharif said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to the former president, members of the security forces have watched their families be forcibly evicted from homes situated on public land, which has reportedly been sold to private developers. He questioned how soldiers could be expected to fight for a government that, in his view, displaces the very communities they are sworn to protect.
Sharif contended that the sale of public land to private entities is not only unconstitutional but also unprecedented in the country’s recent history. He argued that public land should be preserved strictly for public benefit, not for private profit.
He directed scathing criticism towards business figures allegedly involved in acquiring the contested lands, accusing them of exploiting state resources and contributing to the displacement of tens of thousands of vulnerable residents. He described their actions as morally and legally indefensible.
Despite reported threats from individuals linked to the land transactions, who he claims are attempting to derail his political comeback, Sharif insisted he would continue to speak out. He pledged to remain a voice for the poor and marginalised communities affected by the government’s land policies.
The comments come amid growing concern over Somalia’s stability, as Al-Shabaab continues to launch attacks across multiple regions while the government faces mounting pressure over governance, security, and displacement issues.
