Prime Minister Mohammed Roble hosted a crucial iftar gathering with leading politicians from the Hawiye clan, including presidential candidates Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, Abdirahman Abdishakur, and Hassan Khayre, along with pro-Farmaajo regional presidents Abdi Kariye Qoor Qoor and Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlaawe. The meeting showcased a relaxed atmosphere, highlighting Roble’s attempts to position himself as a mediator capable of brokering a peaceful resolution to Somalia’s political standoff. Roble leveraged his status as the senior-most Hawiye in government to appeal for restraint, urging leaders to stand down forces and avoid escalating tensions. However, his role remains delicate; the Prime Minister has largely been ceremonial, often bypassed by ministers and constrained by Villa Somalia. Farmaajo’s reliance on Roble as a bridge to the international community underscores both the opportunities and limitations of his position.
Somalia’s political landscape is facing a dramatic shift as around 400 clan leaders from the Hawiye clan issued a historic declaration rejecting President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s controversial two-year extension. The Pan Hawiye congress in Mogadishu marked a seminal moment, calling for annulment of the extension, depoliticisation of military and security forces, and a return to the 17 September accord. This unprecedented cohesion among Hawiye sub-clans signals growing challenges for Villa Somalia and renders Farmaajo’s extended term increasingly untenable. Traditionally divided between Habar Gedir and Mudulood factions, the Hawiye have been manipulated by Farmaajo through Senate seat allocations and key appointments to undercut opposition support. Now, the clans are uniting, mobilizing militias, and establishing defensive positions across Mogadishu, effectively reshaping the city into sub-clan enclaves reminiscent of past conflicts. Military tensions in the capital are rising, and even Farmaajo’s closest aides recognize the risk posed by his intransigence. With opposition consolidation and armed preparedness gaining momentum, Villa Somalia faces an unprecedented threat to its authority. Analysts suggest that Farmaajo’s continued defiance could provoke large-scale confrontations, making it clear that political survival without compromise is increasingly unlikely. The Hawiye’s decisive stance may well determine the next phase of Somalia’s political transition and the stability of its capital.