Somalia President Mohamud’s new Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) sparks criticism, with fears it could destabilise upcoming elections.
The backlash was swift after Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud launched his new Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) at a meeting with opposition leaders.
Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe’, the leader of Jubbaland, told journalists: “The JSP closely resembles the political party of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who ruled Somalia for 21 years through the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party [SRSP].”
His remarks echo wider concerns among Somali political figures. Former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, along with former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire, have urged President Mohamud to reconsider his decision.
Khaire said the president was expected to convene a national forum to unite federal and regional governments, alongside opposition politicians, against terrorism. According to him, the goal was to resolve political conflicts — not to create political controversy.
“The country is in a challenging situation and faces serious obstacles,” Khaire tells The Africa Report.
In contrast to Khaire’s concerns, President Mohamud emphasised that the party intends to finalise the provisional constitution to build a complete government structure backed by a strong judiciary.
“One of the priorities of my new political party is to establish one person, one vote, so that every individual’s vote becomes valuable and achieves tangible meaning,” he said at the inauguration of the new party. He added that politics is not merely about having the majority, as “those who are organised will have the advantage”.
Concerns over election manipulation rise
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and nearly all cabinet members are also affiliated with this new party, which raises concerns about potential power consolidation.
This is especially significant given that the upcoming election will be the first one in over 50 years to implement a one-person, one-vote system.
Political analyst Mohamed Elmi Afrah tells The Africa Report that the underlying objective “seems to be to manipulate the election process”.
Several political elites echo this view, describing Mohamud’s actions as a blatant attempt to subvert the upcoming election under the guise of universal suffrage — a move that had not previously been publicly discussed.
“The reason he launched a political party is to dissolve the National Consultative Council, which includes the presidents of all five member states,” says Afrah.
Mohamud’s political strategy
The composition of the party offers further insight into Mohamud’s political strategy.
The JSP includes members from three federal member states: Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, known as Lafta-Gareen, from the southwest; Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlaawe from Hirshabelle; and Ahmed Abdi Karie, also known as Qoor Qoor, from Galmudug.
“Jubbaland and Puntland, which were also part of the council, opposed President Mohamud’s policies and were excluded from this initiative,” says Afrah.
In addition to its federal representation, the JSP also reflects Somalia’s entrenched clan-based political structure, adhering to the 4.5 formula. The four main clans are Hawiye, Daarood, Dir, and Rahanweyn, along with representation for minor clans (0.5).
Representing the Hawiye clan is Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who serves as the chairman.
The four deputy leaders include Prime Minister Hamza Barre from the Daarood clan, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama from the Dir clan, Southwest President Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen from the Rahanweyn clan, and Lower House Deputy Speaker Sa’diyo Samatar, who represents the minor clans (0.5).
US issues warning on constitutional changes
The United States government Bureau of African Affairs noted that the changes the president and his new party want to make to the constitution have not benefitted from discussions with Somalis.
“All relevant stakeholders should have a say in changes to Somalia’s federal and election systems. Decisions taken without broad based support will lack legitimacy and distract from pressing security challenges,” the agency said on X.
These concerns about a lack of consultation echo among Somali political figures as well.
Somali ambassador Abdurahman Nur Mohamed, also known as Diinaari, says the primary concern is the upcoming election, which he says has not been adequately planned.
“An election must adhere to established procedures and should be inclusive and consultative,” Diinaari tells The Africa Report, questioning the timing of this announcement.
“The election committee overseeing the process is compromised, having been nominated and supported by the sitting government. Unless this situation is rectified, a fair election cannot be conducted,” he says.
But lawmaker Ader Ali Shalaqben disagrees with Diinaari, who believes that the election is neutral and that the opposition’s complaints are merely an attempt to tarnish the image of the electoral committee.
“The opposition’s complaints and yelling are not based on facts; they want to damage the reputation of the election committee,” says Shalaqben.
He adds that the election committee has already begun registering some of the Mogadishu residents for a pilot municipal election that will pave the way for a future one-person, one-vote election across the country.
Debate over Somalia’s electoral fairness
A multi-party system was approved by presidential decree, but there was no consensus in parliament. The issue remains contentious, according to Farhan Isak, a researcher at Somali Public Agenda, a Mogadishu-based research organisation.
“The launch of a new political party by President Mohamud indicates the administration’s desire for greater electoral support through unity, even if their agenda fails. I do not consider achieving universal suffrage a realistic goal at this time,” he tells The Africa Report.
Beyond questions of political intent, other analysts stress the importance of electoral integrity.
The president needs to convene a neutral electoral body, says Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad, executive director of the Institute for Horn of Africa Strategic Studies and an analyst at Southlink Consultants.
“While President HSM [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud] has every right to form his own political party and engage with political figures of his choosing, it is imperative that he first ensures a credible and inclusive electoral process,” Abdisamad tells The Africa Report.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s political opposition is also voicing alarm. Former presidents and prime ministers, who were once allies of Mohamud during Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s presidency, are urging him to revisit discussions from three years ago.
They are concerned that attempts to extend his time in office, akin to Farmaajo’s efforts, could lead the country into violence. These leaders are now calling on President Mohamud to heed their warnings.
By Mohamed Sheikh Nor
