MOGADISHU, Aug. 5 — Somalia’s opposition Somali Future Council on Wednesday accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of transporting weapons and troops to the central city of Galkayo, alleging the move sparked deadly tensions and threatened peace between the neighboring Puntland and Galmudug administrations.
In a statement, the opposition coalition said the fighting that erupted in Galkayo stemmed from the alleged deployment of arms to the city, blaming what it described as “poor governance and irresponsible decisions” by the federal government.
The council said Galkayo, which has endured years of recurrent conflict, had been recovering from previous violence and warned that renewed fighting risked reversing hard-won stability.
It also accused the federal government of diverting its attention from the fight against Al-Shabaab and instead using troops and weapons to inflame tensions in areas it described as previously peaceful.
The opposition called on regional authorities, traditional elders, religious leaders, community figures and civil society groups to work together to preserve peace and prevent the conflict from escalating further.
The federal government has not responded to the allegations.
There was no independent confirmation of the opposition’s claim that weapons had been transported illegally to Galkayo, and Shabelle Media could not immediately verify the assertions.
The accusations come as tensions remain high following clashes in and around Galkayo, raising fears that the conflict could further destabilize the strategic city if no political solution is reached.
