Friday October 3, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed
Macallin Fiqi, has criticized the recent meeting held in Nairobi between the
leaders of Puntland, Jubaland, and members of the National Salvation Forum,
describing its outcomes as serving foreign interests rather than the Somali
people.
In a post on his official Facebook page Thursday, Minister
Fiqi said Somalia’s future must be decided within the country, not abroad.
“The future of Somalia is decided inside the country, not in
a foreign land that serves outside interests,” Fiqi wrote.
He accused the political leaders in attendance of
undermining state-building efforts, stating it was unacceptable for individuals
“opposed to the establishment of Somali statehood” to deliberate on the
nation’s fate.
“The future of Somalia will not be left to those who
attacked the Wardhiigley police station and those behind them. Somalia has a
legitimate government in place whose responsibility is to guide the country’s
future,” the Defense Minister added.
Fiqi further stressed that while Somalia is producing oil,
consolidating security, and working toward universal suffrage, it is
“unfortunate” that individuals with “known backgrounds” are attempting to
dictate the nation’s future from abroad.
The Nairobi meeting brought together Jubaland President
Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, former
Prime Ministers Hassan Ali Khayre and Saacid Shirdoon, and MP Abdirahman
Abdishakur. Discussions focused on Somalia’s political and security situation,
with the leaders agreeing to establish a “Somali Future Council.”
The meeting coincides with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s
planned trip to Kismayo for talks with Jubaland officials aimed at ending the
current political impasse and facilitating upcoming elections.