The current situation in the Somalia power struggle has reached a very dangerous point as we get closer to the middle of May. Many people are worried about what will happen to the country because the government is making moves that look like they are trying to stay in power without following the rules. This Somalia power struggle is not just about one person or one office but about the whole system of how leaders are chosen in our country. Here are the 6 things you need to know about what is happening right now.
Read Also: Somalia Political Crisis: Struggle for a Fair Future
1. The problem with local elections and appointments
One of the biggest issues right now is how the federal government is handling the regions. In places like Galmudug Hirshabelle and the South West the government is trying to force certain candidates into positions. These are people that the local citizens do not actually want. Instead of having a real and transparent election where everyone can vote for who they like it feels more like political appointments. This Somalia power struggle grows every time a leader is hand-picked by the top instead of being elected by the people. When the public sees that their voice does not matter in these regional votes they start to lose all trust in the federal system.
Read Also: Somalia Constitutional Tension: Is There Hope Ahead?
2. The constitutional deadline and the President
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing a very big challenge because his constitutional term is supposed to end on May 15 2026. According to the law there is no reason for him to stay in power after this date. Any attempt to extend the time he spends in office would be illegal and against the constitution. The Somalia power struggle will likely get much worse if there is an attempt to delay the transition of power. We have seen 105 members of parliament already declaring that the term for the parliament itself ended back on April 15 2026. This means the whole government is running out of legal time to make decisions.
3. Misuse of military forces
Another sad part of the Somalia power struggle is what is happening with the army. There are special troops that were trained by international partners to fight against Al-Shabaab and keep the country safe. However reports are showing that President Hassan Sheikh is using these elite forces to target his political rivals instead of fighting terrorists. Using the military for politics is a very bad sign for a democracy. It makes the security situation worse because the soldiers are busy with political games while the rest of the country suffers from a lack of safety.
4. Land grabbing in Mogadishu
While the politicians argue in their offices the people in Mogadishu are losing their homes. The government is being accused of taking land from regular citizens and selling it for profit. This corruption is adding more fire to the Somalia power struggle as people feel their own leaders are robbing them. It is hard for people to support a government that takes away their property just to make money for political campaigns or personal gain.
5. Security issues in the provinces
The security in the capital and other provinces is getting worse every day. There is a sense of lawlessness that makes life very hard for families trying to just survive. Because the leaders are so focused on staying in power they are not paying attention to the local security needs. This creates a vacuum where groups like Al-Shabaab can grow stronger. This part of the Somalia power struggle shows that when politics becomes the only priority the safety of the normal citizen is always the first thing to be forgotten.
6. The parliamentary crisis
The last thing to watch is the 105 members of parliament who have spoken out. They officially stated that the parliament term ended on April 15 2026. This means that many of the laws being passed or decisions being made right now might not even be legal. It adds a whole new layer to the Somalia power struggle because it shows that even the lawmakers are divided on whether the government has the right to keep going.
The Somalia power struggle cannot be solved if the leaders keep ignoring the law. If the government stays past May 15 without a clear plan it will lead to more trouble. The international community and the local leaders need to realize that the Somalia power struggle is reaching a breaking point. We need real elections and a government that follows the constitution. Without a change in how things are going the Somalia power struggle might lead to a total collapse of the progress made over the last few years.
Read Also: Political crisis in Somalia: Is democracy failing path?
The people deserve a leader who respects the end of their term and works for the safety of everyone not just their own power. Finally the Somalia power struggle is a test for every politician in the country to see if they care about the law or just their seats.
