NAIROBI (SD) – William Ruto has warned that Somalia is entering a difficult political period amid growing disputes over elections, constitutional amendments, and the future of federal institutions.

In an interview with France 24 , President Ruto said Somalia’s political situation has become increasingly complicated as the mandates of both the federal parliament and the presidency approach expiration or have already expired.

“Today the situation is more complicated because the parliamentary term has ended, and the president’s term is also coming to an end,” Ruto said, adding that it remains uncertain how the political crisis will ultimately be resolved.

The Kenyan leader stated that mediation efforts involving Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti have so far failed to produce a breakthrough between the Somali Federal Government and opposition groups.

Ruto also linked the political tensions to regional security concerns, particularly regarding relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubbaland administration. According to him, disagreements between the two sides have delayed efforts to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border, which has remained closed for an extended period.

He further claimed that clashes in the Raaskambooni area forced Somali government troops to cross into Kenyan territory, worsening security concerns along the border region.

The remarks come amid intensifying political disagreements in Somalia following the expiration of the federal parliament’s term in April. Opposition groups, along with the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland, have warned of a possible constitutional crisis if consensus is not reached over the electoral process.

Meanwhile, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously argued that constitutional amendments approved by the federal parliament would legally extend the government’s mandate by an additional year, a position strongly rejected by opposition figures and some federal member states.

President Ruto’s comments reflect growing regional concern over Somalia’s deepening political crisis and the potential consequences for security in the Horn of Africa. Kenya has significant strategic interests in Somalia, including border security, trade, refugee management, and counterterrorism cooperation against Al-Shabaab.

By publicly acknowledging the possibility of political uncertainty and constitutional disputes, Ruto is signaling that regional actors are increasingly worried about instability spilling beyond Somalia’s borders. His remarks also suggest frustration over stalled mediation efforts involving neighboring countries.

The reference to tensions with Jubbaland and incidents near Raaskambooni highlights how Somalia’s internal political disputes are becoming intertwined with regional security dynamics. Continued disagreements over elections and constitutional reforms could complicate cooperation between Mogadishu and federal member states, potentially affecting both domestic governance and regional diplomacy.

The coming months are likely to be critical for Somalia’s political future, as failure to reach an electoral agreement could deepen divisions between the Federal Government, opposition groups, and regional administrations.