Farmaajo’s Return Sparks Fresh Political Comparisons in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, (GO) – Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo returned to Mogadishu today after a 16-month absence from the capital, marking a moment that has quickly revived comparisons between his political era and that of the current administration.

Former President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, returned to Mogadishu today.

Farmaajo did not comment on the dispute over reopening the constitution, the controversy surrounding the electoral model being pushed by President Hassan Sheikh, or the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the presidential election — at a moment when the terms of federal institutions are rapidly coming to an end.

During the April 2021 term-extension crisis, when the House of the People voted to prolong his mandate, Farmaajo strongly defended the move, describing it as necessary to safeguard electoral stability and lay the groundwork for a nationwide one-person-one-vote system. At the time, he sharply criticized opposition groups, accusing them of obstructing the electoral process, fueling insecurity, and pursuing narrow political interests.

The opposition alliance that vehemently resisted Farmaajo’s term extension was led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — the very man who today holds the presidency. Political analysts now argue that President Hassan Sheikh is taking steps similar to the ones he once condemned, particularly in relation to electoral procedures and the disputed constitutional process.

Farmaajo, during his tenure, was not the subject of major, sustained corruption allegations directly tied to his administration — a contrast repeatedly highlighted today by critics of the current government, which has been grappling with widespread accusations of corruption and mismanagement under President Hassan Sheikh’s leadership.

Farmaajo’s return also coincides with the announcement of a new political alliance spearheaded by his longtime ally Fahad Yasin, alongside a group of politicians who declared their intention to back former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid) for the presidency. Fahad Yasin had long been accused of wielding significant influence behind the scenes during Farmaajo’s presidency.

The former president’s arrival has once again intensified political comparisons between him and President Hassan Sheikh, with observers watching closely to see how both camps position themselves amid an increasingly contentious national climate.

Critics argue that the unfolding contest between the two leaders has cast fresh uncertainty over the idea of bringing a former president back to power, pointing to the way President Hassan Sheikh — re-elected in May 2022 — has governed since his return to office.