Somalia’s Defence Minister Issues Warning to Opposition About Mobilization

MOGADISHU (SD) — Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Muallim Fiqi, has issued a strong warning to opposition politicians against mobilizing militias or taking actions that could threaten national security, as political tensions continue to rise over the country’s electoral and political future.

Fiqi said the government would not tolerate attempts to undermine security, warning that opposition figures who mobilize armed groups would face a forceful response.

“No mercy should be shown to anyone who raises a hand to harm security. If these opposition figures mobilize militias, they must be dealt with using an iron fist,” Fiqi said.

The minister said security remains a national responsibility, pointing to the heavy human and financial costs Somalia has incurred in its efforts to restore stability. He warned against allowing political disagreements to undermine those gains.

“Security, for which we lost dear brothers, is now being jeopardized for a mere four million [in currency],” Fiqi said.

His remarks come amid escalating political tensions between the Federal Government and opposition figures over elections, constitutional issues and the political transition. Several opposition leaders and regional administrations have demanded broader political consultation and guarantees over the electoral process.

Fiqi’s warning reflects the government’s increasingly firm position that political disagreements must not translate into armed mobilization. However, the language also risks deepening tensions with opposition groups if they interpret the warning as a threat to use state security forces against political rivals.

The central challenge for Mogadishu is to distinguish between legitimate political opposition and actions that genuinely threaten national security. With Somalia already facing security pressures from Al-Shabaab, continued political confrontation could further complicate efforts to maintain stability and prepare the country for the next electoral phase.