MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has postponed his planned return to Mogadishu after authorities imposed restrictions on gatherings at the capital’s international airport.
Farmajo was expected to arrive in the city this week to launch his campaign for the 2026 presidential election and rally his supporters. His arrival had been anticipated to draw a large crowd, in keeping with Somali political tradition where prominent figures are greeted by throngs of supporters upon arrival.
However, airport authorities issued a directive prohibiting mass receptions within the airport premises, citing security and public order concerns. The move is part of a wider clampdown by federal authorities, who have tightened regulations on opposition activities ahead of the next presidential poll.
The government has also banned opposition leaders from using gun-mounted vehicles to escort their convoys through Mogadishu. The order, intended to reduce the presence of armed escorts in the capital, has sparked criticism among opposition figures who argue it compromises their safety.
Tensions have been rising between the federal government and opposition leaders, as well as with two regional states, over the format of the upcoming vote. The government in Mogadishu insists on holding a one-person-one-vote election, while sections of the opposition favour an indirect model similar to previous contests.
Farmajo, who served as president from 2017 to 2022, remains an influential figure within Somali politics. His delayed return underscores the increasingly charged political atmosphere as the country edges closer to the 2026 elections.
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