Somali Opposition leaders form a coalition against Farmaajo

Major political parties in Somalia have announced the formation of a coalition to rally their cause on matters of common interest and hold the government accountable as the build to the 2020 elections takes shape.

More than six Somali opposition parties — including two major parties led by former presidents of the country — have joined hands to form the new political alliance following a meeting in the capital Mogadishu.

Himilo Qaran party, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and UPD led by former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud are part of the new alliance, named Forum for the National Parties.

Ahmed had served as president of the country from 2009 to 2012, while Mohamud remained president of Somalia from 2012 to 2017.

Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the parties had agreed to form the Forum for National Parties which will bring together the political parties in one umbrella.

The former head of state said the forum will be a common ground for the parties to ‘discuss common issues affecting the country and hold the government accountable’.

The FNP, Mohamud said will consist of two key organs-the Supreme Council and the Secretariat. The former will be composed of leaders of the constituting political parties while the latter will bring together all the secretaries-general of the parties.

The formation of FNP comes amid preparation for the next general election which if done in a similar manner as the previous one will run from October to February 2021 culminating into the election of a new president.

It is not, however, clear if the new forum bringing together political heavyweights among them the two former presidents-Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessor Sheikh Sharif Ahmed will be fronting a joint candidate for the presidency.

As the opposition parties coalesce around a common ground, questions linger as to whether the duo in the hill- President Mohamed Farmaajo and his Prime Minister Hassan Khaire will be fighting together or separately for the presidency. Both have expressed intent of running for the top seat.