By Hassan Adan
MOGADISHU– A wave of ministerial resignations and regional breakaways pushed Somalia further into political turmoil on Thursday, after senior figures accused the federal government of overreach.
“I announce to the Somali people that I have resigned from my post as Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia this evening, March 19, 2026,” Isaak Mohamud Mursal said on his official Facebook page.
“I took this decision because of the constant interference by the federal government, violation of the Provisional Constitution, and abuse of power by the Federal Government of Somalia against the administration of the South West State,” he concluded.
Mursal’s departure was followed within hours by Deputy Minister of Planning Ahmed Mohamed Mashruuc, who cited similar grievances over federal interference in South West State.
Earlier this month, two ministers elected from Puntland State resigned from their ministerial positions. Aynanshe Yusuf Hussein, State Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, and Ismail Burale, State Minister for Petroleum, resigned on March 3 in protest over the handling of constitutional amendments and alleged restrictions on MPs from Puntland.
Their earlier exits underscored growing unease among regional representatives and provided a backdrop to this week’s broader cabinet exodus.
The ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) was also hit hard. Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, president of South West State and the party’s deputy leader for security and political affairs, announced he had resigned from his senior party post and that his regional administration would suspend formal ties with the federal government.
Local reports said three other JSP officials also resigned.
Tensions escalated today when the federal government deployed Harmacad, a federal special police unit, in Marka, a strategic town in South West State a move opponents warned would further inflame relations between Mogadishu and the regional administration.
The crisis stems from a collapse of national consensus over an electoral roadmap and related constitutional amendments.
Talks between the federal government and opposition delegations from Puntland and Jubaland broke down earlier this month after sharp disputes over whether Somalia should move from its indirect, clan-based system to universal suffrage, and over changes to the provisional constitution.
Parliament recently approved controversial provisional amendments a step regional administrations denounced as unilateral.
Puntland and Jubaland have already severed ties with the federal government; South West State’s withdrawal marks a wider rupture that threatens the electoral timeline.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s mandate is legally set to expire on May 15, leaving less than two months for leaders to agree on a credible path to elections.
Analysts warn the political split risks undermining security cooperation against al-Shabaab.
“A fragmented political front weakens the national response and endangers the institutions that bind the federation,” said a Horn of Africa analyst who declined to be named.
The Federal Ministry of Interior has urged calm and renewed talks, insisting reforms are needed to advance Somalia toward a more inclusive democratic system through dialogue.
The rapid sequence of resignations and state withdrawals has raised the prospect of a prolonged standoff over legitimacy and the timing of elections, with observers warning of the risk of escalation unless leaders return to negotiations.
