Somalia: The opposition accuse President Hassan Sheikh of working to divide the Somali people.

The forum, which held consultations with various sectors of society such as traditional elders, scholars, youth, women, the media, and the civil society forum, discussed the fight against the terrorist groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS, the unity and solidarity of the country, the political conflict resulting from the country’s amended constitution, widespread corruption and bias, the auction of public land, secret deals awarded for the country’s natural resources, young people who ended up in the seas and deserts to certain death, poor economic conditions, and the difficult humanitarian situation.

The Forum expresses its condolences to the parents and the Somali people for the Somali youth who lost their lives in the waters between Algeria and Spain, fleeing from hopelessness and despair about the future of their country.

The Forum issued the following points;

1. Security and the fight against terrorism: The Forum underlined the need to turn the tide of the war against the terrorist groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS, and to fully support the government, in order to save the existence of our country’s nationhood and statehood, while at the same time holding accountable the leadership of the government, the administration and the poor strategy of the war, the neglect and lack of care for the self-sacrificing heroes of the Somali National Army and the fighters in various areas.
2. Unity and Solidarity of the Country: The Forum strengthens the unity and solidarity of the country, and condemns the political discrimination, divisiveness, and unilateralism of the administration of President Hassan Sheikh to undermine the political agreements that were the basis of the Third Republic of the country, which began with the conferences Arta and Mbgathi.
3. Regional Government Laws: The conference expresses strong concern over the extension of the term of office of the regional governments of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Southwest, which is in conflict with the national constitution and that of the regional governments. The illegal extension of the term, the joining of the President’s Party and the dismantling of the National Consultative Forum are clear indications of President Hassan Sheikh’s dictatorial ambitions and his plan to extend his term and ensure an election that he alone can win.
4. Abuse of power, favoritism and corruption: The Forum strongly condemns the abuse of power by the government, widespread corruption and favoritism, the auctioning of government land for public benefit, secret agreements on natural resources such as oil, minerals and fish, unequal employment opportunities, contracts, development projects in the country and the lack of public services, which have resulted in;
   a) The country’s finances being in the hands of a few allies of the President.
   b) The fall in land prices, which caused huge losses for many people who invested in land.
   c) The cessation of business activity, which led to the withdrawal of billions of dollars of assets from the country and their investment abroad.
   d) The loss of hope for the youth from the government, forcing them to flee the country and engage in migration and displacement.
5. Political and press freedom: The Forum condemns the ongoing violations against the country’s independent media and the repression of the public by forcing them to register and participate in elections, which they do not agree with, the travel ban on politicians and the violations against journalists of independent media outlets, which are intended to express the public’s feelings about the administration of President Hassan Sheikh.
   Therefore, the Forum;
6. Strengthens the unity and solidarity of the country, protecting the agreements that were the basis for the establishment of the Third Republic of Somalia;
   a) Federalism
   b) Power-sharing
   c) Parliamentary system
   d) Four-yearly elections
   e) Consensus to decide on the direction of the country’s state-building process.
7. Affirms its full support to the Armed Forces, the Puntland Defense Forces and the local fighters of the Hirshabelle administration, especially the Mawiislay militia of the Hiran region who are pursuing extremist groups and terrorists, and calls for solidarity and support for the heroes who sacrificed their lives.
8. Underlines that the amended constitution poses a threat to the state-building process, unity and solidarity.
9. Warns the President of the political marginalization of the Puntland and Jubaland regional states by his administration, and the actions that are further delaying the political opening of Gedo region, and calls for the lifting of sanctions on areas under the Jubaland regional state.
10. Condemns the abuse and targeting of independent media by the federal government’s security agencies, and reinforces the protection of press freedom, media independence and their essential role in democracy and accountability based on the rule of law.
11. Calls on the President to immediately halt the sale of remaining public land and to disclose to the Somali people all agreements he has made for the country’s natural resources and the management of the funds generated from these agreements.
12. Warns Somali businessmen not to be fooled by the purchase of public land without legal status wherever it is located.
13. Proposes that the political stakeholders of the federal government, regional government leaders and opposition politicians convene an urgent meeting to free the country from the threat of terrorism, unite the power and organization to prevent their invasion, and find a solution to the political conflict resulting from the amended constitution, non-consensual elections, management of the economic system and natural resource agreements.
14. Opposes the return to the 2022 democratic elections, supports a transparent and consensual electoral process that paves the way for one person and one vote, based on the 2012 constitution agreed upon by the Somali people, and the rules of the parties and the electoral commission approved by the Ninth Parliament and the direct election law passed by the 10th Parliament.
15. Calls for the resumption of dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland, to counter the sinister agendas of outsiders seeking to divide the Somali nation.
16. The Forum expresses its gratitude to the Somali people in general, especially the various segments of society who contributed useful suggestions to the Forum, and also thanks Hotel Jazeera for its hospitality, while rewarding the international community for its continued support to the Somali people and their role in peace and state building.