Monday 24th November 2025
by inAfrika Newsroom
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned rivals against what he called Somalia armchair politics, urging them to leave hotels and engage directly with citizens. Speaking at the First Somali Justice Sector Conference in Mogadishu, he criticised political commentary he said was detached from daily realities in the capital.
The president said politicians who remain indoors while commenting on security and governance should “come outside and see the beauty of the capital and the security that exists.” He urged them to speak only about issues they have verified, accusing some of spreading untested narratives from hotel lobbies and private homes.
His remarks followed a speech by former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, who argued that Somalia faces deep socio-economic problems linked to government inaction and neglect. By linking Somalia armchair politics to misinformation, Hassan Sheikh signalled a harder line toward critics as the country navigates federal reforms, security handovers and fiscal debates.
The clash over Somalia armchair politics matters because it highlights a wider continental struggle over how leaders respond to criticism in fragile democracies. Somalia is still rebuilding institutions while fighting insurgency and negotiating federal power-sharing, so public trust in leadership is fragile. If rulers dismiss every complaint as hotel gossip, citizens may feel more alienated and polarisation can deepen. Yet when politicians and pundits speak without checking facts on the ground, they also risk fuelling rumours and undermining reform. How Somalia balances open debate with responsible speech will influence its stability and offer lessons for other post-conflict states.
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