Somalia’s leading opposition party CAHDI has warned that the unilateral move by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to change the electoral system and term limit could plunge the country into chaos.
CAHDI Party, which means the Justice and Development of Democracy and Self-Respectfulness Party (Cadalada, Horumarinta, Dimuqradiya Iyo Isqdarinta) in full, has listed a number of moves by President Mohamud which could destabilize the country.
They include; the change of the presidential term limit from four to five years, his deliance with radical groups and the formation of his new party, the Union for Peace and Development Party (UPD), which embraces extremism.
Prof Abdirahman Abdiqani Ibrahim, the leader of CAHDI Party said that they are opposed to the 2023 tampering with the constitution, specifically Articles 60 and 91, which provides for a four-year term for the presidency and the two houses of parliament.
“CHAHDI Party is strongly opposed to tampering with the constitution. This resulted in the constitutional crisis orchestrated by Mahmoud, seen as an attempt to consolidate power,” said Dr Ibrahim, who called on international partners to monitor and act against those undermining democratic principles in Somalia.
CAHDI Party also took issues with President Mahamoud’s alliance with former Al-Shabaab figures such as Mukhtar Robow, Abu Mansour—now a cabinet minister—and other “nihilist” and “narcissist” elements within the Union for Peace UPD, which Mahmoud leads.
CAHDI Party argues that this extreme alliance, under the intent to combat Al-Shabaab, poses a threat to security. “Legitimising extremism in political parties threatens the country’s future security, political stability, and promotes polarisation,” said Dr Ibrahim.
Already, President Mahmoud’s decision to impose pressure on both political democratic parties and federal member states like Puntland and Jubaland,
whose leaders Said Abdullahi Deni and Ahmed Madobe, have decided to boycott the National Consultative Council (NCC) meetings.
Dr Ibrahim said that his party is demanding for a transparent, participatory electoral reform, and robust checks to prevent extremist ideologies from undermining democratic institutions.
CAHDI Party does not accept those who promote ideas based on extremism, dictatorship, or breaches of the constitution, emphasising its stance against Mahmoud’s approach to security, governance, and strained federal relations.
