Somalia Defence Minister Fiqi’s Verbal Assault on the Opposition?
- Gallaydh News Desk
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The political tension brewing in Mogadishu has reached a critical juncture, heavily fueled by the fierce debate surrounding the expiration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s mandate on May 15. While political stakeholders scramble to find a solution to the resulting constitutional vacuum, the current administration has opted for a path that appears designed to silence dissenting voices. This strategy was vividly displayed through recent threatening remarks made by the Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.
Speaking at a public forum, the Minister delivered a direct threat and a stern warning to opposition figures united under the Somali Future Council. Minister Fiqi dismissed claims that the government was actively targeting opposition politicians, but he made it unequivocally clear that an iron fist would be used against anyone attempting to mobilize armed forces.
"No one is coming to attack you, not the national army, not the intelligence agency, and not the police," Minister Fiqi declared. "If we were going to attack you, you would have been apprehended long ago for your foul language and poor conduct. No one is coming for you, but the day you pick up arms and mobilize militias, your hands will be broken, regardless of who you are."
To justify his aggressive tone, the Minister recalled an incident from September of the previous year, accusing the opposition of deliberately and violently attacking a police station in the Wardhiigley district. He noted that had the government retaliated with force at that time, the situation would have deteriorated significantly. Furthermore, he unleashed a barrage of mockery regarding the opposition's call for a massive protest on May 15, describing it as a total failure that "neighborhood kids made a mockery of" when no one showed up.
A History of Inflammatory Rhetoric
For political analysts and the independent media, the remarks from Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi were hardly surprising. The Minister is widely regarded as the administration's designated "attack dog," frequently deployed to issue threats and launch verbal assaults. He has cultivated a notorious reputation for using abrasive language that completely deviates from the norms of statecraft and diplomatic decorum.
Over the past two years, Minister Fiqi has repeatedly found himself at the center of controversies sparked by his public speeches. For instance, during the intense conflict in Las Anod, Fiqi utilized highly inflammatory rhetoric, effectively equating the government and leadership of the Republic of Somaliland with terrorist organizations. This provocative comparison not only fueled the conflict but also severely damaged the diplomatic credibility of the federal government.
Similarly, during the peak of the dispute between the Federal Government and the Puntland administration, Minister Fiqi launched an uncompromising verbal assault on President Said Abdullahi Deni. He used language that strongly implied the federal government would impose crippling sanctions on the regional state. The Minister's habitual practice of branding the opposition and anyone holding dissenting views as agents of chaos and security threats has solidified his reputation as a highly divisive politician lacking the temperament required of a national leader.
The Opposition's Response and an Appeal to the Military
Minister Fiqi's threats were not taken lightly. The Somali Future Council immediately issued a strongly worded press release condemning his statements. The Council clarified that they do not view these remarks as merely Fiqi's personal opinions. Instead, they interpret them as a coordinated political strategy orchestrated by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, designed to suppress freedom of speech under the convenient guise of national security.
The opposition's statement included a highly sensitive and specific message directed at the armed forces, urging them to remain entirely neutral in the unfolding political contest.
"The Council calls upon the armed forces to protect the constitution and the safety of the Somali people, to distance themselves from political entanglements, and to reject any illegal orders emanating from an individual whose term in office has expired," the Council's statement read.
The opposition forcefully reminded the administration that Somalia carries a deeply painful historical trauma resulting from the state's use of military force and suppression. They placed the absolute responsibility for any consequences arising from this escalating tension squarely on the shoulders of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The current political landscape in the country desperately requires compromise and a return to the negotiating table. Threats from government officials like Minister Fiqi do not contribute to a solution; rather, they further alienate the opposing sides and destroy the chances of reaching a consensus on the political transition. As emphasized by the Somali Future Council, it is imperative that political competition is conducted through a legal framework built on democracy and dialogue, actively avoiding the use of state power for intimidation and political silencing.
