Mogadishu Somalia-
As Somalia prepares for its first-ever one-person, one-vote elections, a wave of newly registered political parties with strong religious and sectarian foundations is raising concerns about the potential for renewed political and ideological conflict in the fragile Horn of Africa nation.
Since the electoral announcement, three political parties have formally registered with the National Independent Electoral Commission, all of which are known to draw support from religious movements with diverging interpretations of Islamic law. Political analysts and observers are warning that the re-emergence of groups with histories of militant or sectarian conflict under the guise of party politics could destabilize the country’s delicate peace and security.
Among the newly registered parties is Tawfiq, led by Sheikh Shakir Macalin Hassan, a prominent Sufi cleric and former leader of the Ahlusunna Waljama’a movement. The group previously held territorial control in Somalia’s central regions before being militarily defeated by government forces under the administration of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. Tawfiq is closely associated with the Qadiriyya Sufi order and is known for its rejection of other religious interpretations, although the party has publicly denounced violence.
Another significant entrant into the political landscape is the Gobonimo Party, headed by Sultan Abdiqano Qorane, a figure closely linked with the Al-Itihaad al-Islami (Al-Itihaad) movement, which espouses Salafi ideologies. The Al-Itihaad group was involved in armed conflicts during the 1990s and is widely regarded as a precursor to several current Islamist movements in the region. Gobonimo’s rise has garnered attention due to its appeal among Salafi-oriented communities, raising fears of a revival of ideological rivalries.
The Samadoon Party, the third of the newly formed entities, was launched with a large public rally. Its chairman, Khaliif Abdulqadir Ma’alin Nur, is a former government minister and son of a lesser-known Sufi religious figure, Ma’alin Nur. Khaliif’s leadership is seen as a bridge between traditional religious heritage and modern political engagement, particularly among Sufi followers. The party has positioned itself as a unifying platform but faces challenges due to the polarized religious environment.
Political scientist and analyst Dr. Zakariye Ahmed warned that the emergence of these ideologically-driven parties could reignite past tensions. “We are witnessing a political rebranding of groups that once resorted to armed conflict,” said Dr. Zakariye. “While these parties now operate within a legal framework, their histories and competing religious ideologies could potentially lead to sectarian political strife.”
Dr. Zakariye noted that both the Qadiriyya-affiliated Tawfiq and the Salafi-backed Gobonimo parties are rooted in movements that have previously sought power through non-democratic means. “Their entry into the political sphere underlines a shift in strategy, not necessarily in ideology,” he added.
As campaigning begins in earnest, the Somali government and electoral authorities are under pressure to ensure that the political process remains peaceful, inclusive, and free from the kind of sectarian conflict that has historically plagued the country.
Somalia’s transition to democratic elections is seen as a milestone for the country’s recovery from decades of civil war and political fragmentation. However, the influence of religious ideologies in party politics could test the resilience of this transition in the months ahead.
Telegaraf News
