Somalia’s Political Landscape Shifts as President Hassan Launches Powerful New Party Ahead of Historic Elections

Mogadishu — In a bold political realignment that could reshape Somalia’s democratic future, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), uniting former adversaries under a single political umbrella. The move comes as Somalia prepares for its first nationwide one-person, one-vote elections in more than five decades, scheduled for 2026.

Unveiled during a high-profile event Tuesday night in Mogadishu, JSP brings together prominent political rivals from both federal and regional governments — some of whom have historically clashed over power, security, and influence. Now, they are seated at the same table, crafting what analysts describe as the most formidable political alliance in Somalia’s post-civil war era.

“This country cannot afford to tear itself apart every five years,” President Hassan said.
“We need continuity, cohesion, and institutions that survive beyond individuals.”

From Rivals to Running Mates

JSP’s leadership roster reads like a reconciliation manual. In Galmudug, MP Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein (Odowaa), President Ahmed Qoorqoor, and former NISA chief Mahad Salad — previously locked in a fierce power struggle — are now aligned. Odowaa serves as Secretary General.

In Southwest, Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe and President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, once bitter opponents, now co-chair the same party platform. They are joined by former Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and even Mukhtar Robow, who was once detained to facilitate Laftagareen’s rise.

“This isn’t just a party — it’s a strategic political machine,” said Dr. Abdinasir Mohamed of Mogadishu University.
“It reflects a rare moment of political maturity where personal grudges are being set aside for broader national alignment.”

New Political Equation for 2026

The formation of JSP represents a turning point for Somalia’s democracy. Since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, Somalia has been governed through a clan-based “4.5 system,” long criticized for hindering democratic participation and enabling political fragmentation.

President Hassan’s pivot towards a multiparty system grounded in universal suffrage signals a major departure. By integrating his fiercest critics into a unified electoral bloc, he is betting on a formula that merges loyalty, reconciliation, and national appeal.

A Masterstroke or a Gamble?

According to Dr. Osman Ahmed, a Nairobi-based Horn of Africa analyst, “He’s taken his fiercest critics, turned them into allies, and given them a stake in the same future. This party could dominate the upcoming polls — if it holds.”

Still, obstacles remain. The electoral roadmap faces serious threats — from al-Shabaab attacks to institutional fragility and federal-state mistrust. But the emergence of JSP suggests that Somalia’s democratic ambitions are gaining traction, politically and symbolically.

With the Justice and Solidarity Party, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud may have pulled off a rare political masterstroke — uniting fractured elites in time for what could be the most consequential vote in Somalia’s modern history.