Thursday March 13, 2025 {HMC} The Himilo Qaran Party, led by former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has condemned the recent Al-Shabaab attack on the Cairo (Qaahira) Hotel in Beledweyne, calling it a stark reminder of Somalia’s worsening security crisis. The party criticized the Federal Government’s failure to prevent terrorist assaults, accusing it of prioritizing political maneuvering over national security.
The Cairo Hotel attack, which targeted civilians and claimed multiple lives, is the latest in a series of violent incidents across major Somali cities. Himilo Qaran argued that these attacks reflect a broader decline in security, which was attributed to government mismanagement and inaction. The party accused the administration of being preoccupied with consolidating power, suppressing dissent, and engaging in corruption while neglecting its duty to protect citizens.
“The government has turned counterterrorism into a political shield rather than a national priority,” the party said in a statement. “Instead of focusing on meaningful security reforms, it is using the fight against terrorism to silence opposition and deflect attention from its own failures.”
Himilo Qaran also criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration for allegedly leveraging the ongoing conflict to justify political repression. The party warned that exploiting national security concerns for political gain would only deepen divisions and weaken the country’s ability to combat terrorism effectively.
The party lauded the Somali National Army and Civilian Defense Forces, praising their sacrifices in defending the country and its people.
Despite its criticism of the government, Himilo Qaran reiterated its commitment to national unity and urged all political stakeholders to put aside differences and work together to strengthen security efforts against terrorist threats.
