Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Somali opposition figure and Wadajir Party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has accused Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi of issuing threats against opposition leaders, alleging that the remarks reflect the position of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu on Saturday, Abdishakur, who is also a member of parliament and a senior figure in the National Salvation Forum, said the Defence Minister’s words carried the weight of the presidency itself.
He argued that unless President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud personally distances himself from the remarks, the opposition will consider them an official presidency position.
“His Defence Minister threatened us, and we took it seriously. We believe the president sent that message,” Abdishakur said.
He added: “How can I contest elections if someone threatens me with words like ‘I will make you reveal Yahuud maa tihiin’? How can I contest fairly when the state’s weapons and forces are being leveraged in this manner? How can we talk about a free and fair election?”
The remarks followed controversial comments by Defence Minister Fiqi on Thusrday, when he invoked the politically charged phrase “Yahuud maa tihiin” — meaning “Are you merciless?” — reviving memories of the deadly 2021 crackdown on protests against former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s term extension.
The dispute highlights growing political tensions, with opposition leaders accusing Villa Somalia of using state power to intimidate rivals ahead of upcoming elections.