Following last week’s removal of the Prime Minister of Somalia in what has been described as a ploy to extend the current government’s rule, tensions seem to be on the rise in the East African country, as its former Heads of State and government have warned President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of the catastrophic consequences his government will face in the event of an election delay.

Led by former President Ali Mahdi, the meeting in the nation’s capital of Mogadishu, had other past leaders present, including former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Hassan Sheikh Mohammed and some 1000 participants including former and current mayors, diplomats and senior military officers were organized by members of Mogadishu’s chief clan, the Mudulood clan.

Adding their voice to the ongoing debate about the timing of elections, the former leaders of Somalia, especially Ali Mahdi, threatened that he would rather take up arms against incumbent President Farmajo than allow delayed elections that would extend his presidency. “I advise that you hold the scheduled elections on time. There is no Somali who would countenance undue delays at this juncture of time. Do not plunge the country in a civil war,” he said.

Reiterating his stance on the matter, he also added: “I am not an active politician at the moment, but I want a government that leads us fairly, justly. If I don’t find that, my white gun is still cocked and ready to fire. My statement on the matter is crystal clear.”

Former president Shariff Sheikh Ahmed also accused President Farmaajo of targeting the Mudulood clan by firing most of its members from office. “This clan’s boys have supported this nation in a difficult time. They have lost lives and wealth for Somalia and no one should sideline them today,” Ahmed said.

The former presidents previously met with the Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman, seeking reassurance that the polls in Somalia will be conducted on time and will be credible.