President Hassan Sheikh calls Israel’s interference as primary driver of instability in the Horn of Africa

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially opened the eighth session of Somalia’s bicameral Federal Parliament, presenting lawmakers with an overview of the country’s state-building progress and highlighting what he described as growing external interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.

Addressing members of both houses of parliament on Saturday, the president outlined developments in Somalia’s state-building process and discussed the challenges facing the country as it continues efforts to strengthen its political and institutional foundations.

President Hassan Sheikh also accused Israel of interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs, describing what he called Israeli meddling as a primary driver of instability in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region.

The president’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and growing diplomatic concerns over developments affecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

During his address, Hassan Sheikh also emphasised the importance of Somalia’s political stability and the need to protect the country’s national interests as the government continues to navigate complex domestic and regional challenges.

The opening of the eighth parliamentary session brings together lawmakers from the House of the People and the Upper House to resume legislative work and oversight of the federal government’s programmes.

The president’s state-building progress report is expected to provide parliament with an assessment of developments in strengthening federal institutions, national security and other areas of governance.

His remarks on Israel are also likely to attract regional attention as Somalia continues to assert its sovereignty and oppose what it considers foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

The parliamentary session comes at a critical period for Somalia, with the federal government facing ongoing security challenges, political debates over the country’s electoral future and wider regional instability affecting the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Mustaqbal