Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday strongly responded to opposition leaders, accusing them of spreading unnecessary fear and political instability instead of focusing on the country’s progress. Speaking at the inauguration of a hospital in Mogadishu, Hassan Sheikh dismissed the opposition’s claims that his administration is leading the country toward chaos, describing their statements as harmful and misleading.

“Politicians who claim that a disaster is looming and that the gates of punishment are open are not normal people. They are mentally unwell and need treatment,” he said, directly addressing accusations that his government has become authoritarian and restrictive of political freedoms.

The President added that the opposition’s rhetoric contributes to the country’s instability. “The real problem in Somalia is the politicians,” he said. “There has been significant progress, and it is important to show the people what has been achieved and the opportunities that still exist.”

The President’s remarks followed recent accusations by opposition figure Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, who claimed that Hassan Sheikh’s government had secretly trained a special force of around 10,000 soldiers to intimidate political opponents. The opposition, without providing formal evidence, alleged that this force operates outside Somalia’s official security institutions and is tasked with targeting opposition figures. President Hassan Sheikh did not directly address these claims, but his comments on political fear-mongering appeared to be an indirect response. So far, the Somali government has not officially commented on the existence of such a force, and no independent sources have verified the allegations.

Political tensions have escalated as preparations for the 2026 elections gain momentum. Opposition parties and some federal member states have criticized the federal government’s handling of the electoral process. Puntland and Jubbaland have openly opposed the federal government’s approach, citing political and security challenges.

The opposition has accused President Hassan Sheikh of undermining independent institutions and making legal changes to establish an electoral committee without a legal basis, which they claim is an attempt to predetermine election outcomes. Some opposition leaders have even hinted at organizing an independent parallel election if the government does not engage in broad political dialogue.

The opposition has also criticized the government’s economic policies, accusing it of implementing an unfair taxation system that has harmed businesses in Mogadishu, particularly in the Bakara market, the capital’s largest commercial hub. Traders have staged protests, complaining about rising taxes, which they say have led to widespread unemployment and economic hardship.

Additionally, the opposition alleges that the government has favored businesses linked to the President’s political allies, exacerbating economic inequality and limiting fair business opportunities.

Despite the criticism, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized that Somalia has made notable progress, citing increasing international recognition and the country’s participation in major global forums, such as the United Nations Security Council, after a long absence.

The opposition has also accused the government of using security forces to suppress dissent, claiming that the Somali National Army and other security agencies are being used to intimidate political opponents rather than ensuring national security. The government has yet to directly respond to these allegations, but President Hassan Sheikh’s focus on the role of politicians and the need to prioritize development appears to be an indirect rebuttal to these claims.