Mogadishu -Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has delivered a strongly-worded address to the Federal Government Cabinet, calling for unity, political discipline and collective responsibility as Somalia continues navigating heightened regional and diplomatic tensions.
Chairing the cabinet meeting alongside Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the President dedicated much of his briefing to three key themes which includes,national unity, the future of elections in Somalia, and the ongoing dispute with Israel.
President Hassan Sheikh stressed that strengthening unity within government and across Somali society must remain a top priority. He warned ministers against engaging in public disagreements, particularly on social media platforms, calling such behaviour unprofessional and contrary to the norms of state governance.
He reminded the cabinet that government has official spokespersons authorised to communicate positions and that cabinet ministers should not publicly contradict one another or comment individually on sensitive matters.
On elections, the President reiterated that his administration is working toward a future where Somalis directly elect their leaders through a popular vote. He described the recent December 25th one man one vote election in Mogadishu as an important step toward that goal, signalling the government’s continued commitment to electoral reform.
Turning to the ongoing diplomatic dispute with Israel, President Hassan Sheikh urged the cabinet to maintain a united front and intensify efforts to counter what he described as Israel attempts to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty. He called for continued condemnation and coordinated government action.
The President stated:
“We have already defeated Israel’s plan, Just like in the case of Ethiopia, it will not take weeks before this matter is fully contained.”
He argued that Somalia and its allies have already blocked Israels ambitions and that the situation will be stabilised swiftly, similar to past regional challenges.
He added that the international community has largely aligned itself with Somalia, with various nations offering diplomatic, political and economic backing in defence of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The President also addressed Somali politicians from Somaliland, urging them to speak openly in defence of the unity and sovereignty of Somalia rather than remaining silent at a critical moment.
In closing, President Hassan Sheikh emphasised that unity of message, unity of purpose and disciplined governance are essential to safeguarding Somalia’s national interests during this period. He reminded cabinet ministers that political differences must be resolved internally and respectfully not through public confrontation.
The message comes at a time when Somalia is increasingly asserting its diplomatic position on regional security and sovereignty, while also attempting to prepare the foundation for future citizen-based elections.