For more than 20 hours, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has directed a sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, dozens of respected traditional elders, and other political leaders in Mogadishu.
Heavy weaponry more commonly associated with conventional battlefield operations than densely populated urban areas, including anti-tank weapons, drones, and other military assets, has been deployed against us.
Civilian infrastructure has not been spared. Electricity supplies serving thousands of innocent civilians have been deliberately disrupted, further endangering lives and livelihoods. This conduct constitutes a war crime under international law.
These are weapons entrusted to the Somali state to fight Al-Shabaab, now turned against Somaliaβs own leaders and citizens in an unprecedented campaign of political repression and targeted killing.
We will defend ourselves, our communities, and our constitutional rights.
I call upon all military, police, and security commanders to uphold their constitutional oath and refuse unlawful orders. Your duty is to the Constitution and the Somali people, not to the political interests of any individual.
Every unlawful order given and carried out will be documented. All those who commit criminal acts and war crimes will be held personally accountable.
I urge Somaliaβs international partners to act immediately.