‘Injustice is our top calamity': Former Somalia Minister declares as he launches new party

Somalia’s former planning minister Abdirahman Aynte has launched the Xaqsoor party, a grassroots-driven movement which he says will confront systemic injustice, dismantle entrenched corruption, and transform the country’s political culture.

Unveiled during a high-energy convention at Mogadishu’s Afrik Hotel, the party’s formation marks the culmination of over a year of nationwide consultations with citizens from all walks of life including politicians, educators, youth, business leaders, and civil society activists.

Aynte was unanimously elected as the party’s leader while Abdi Ahmed Mohamed Baafo, a former Agriculture Minister and respected academic, was named chair of the Central Committee.

“Injustice is Somalia’s number one, two, and three calamities,” Aynte told more than a thousand supporters at the launch.

“When injustice goes unchecked, corruption flourishes, insecurity spreads, and clan divisions harden. We formed Xaqsoor to fight that injustice so the law protects every citizen, power answers to the people, and every Somali child can build a bright future right here at home.”

Xaqsoor, which means “justice” or “fair share” in Somali, positions itself not only as a political entity but as a national cause — uniting Somalis across generations and regions behind a shared vision of justice, unity, and inclusive development.

The party’s newly unveiled Executive Council includes two deputy leaders, a secretary-general, and a 19-member leadership team responsible for critical portfolios including governance, youth engagement, diaspora relations, and social services.

The council draws from a broad coalition of experienced politicians, civil society voices, business figures, and youth leaders.

“Xaqsoor is more than a political party,” said Baafo. “It’s a movement built on our Islamic values and Somali identity — focused on giving voice to the silent majority who want an end to politics as usual.”

The launch comes at a crucial juncture in Somalia’s journey toward stability, as the nation seeks to strengthen its institutions, expand economic opportunity, and secure lasting peace.

Xaqsoor’s founders say the party will work to harness that momentum by advocating for systemic reforms, citizen-centered governance, and greater transparency in public service.

The party now plans to embark on a nationwide mobilization campaign to expand its grassroots base and prepare for participation in upcoming elections in 2026.

The launch comes at a time political alignments are taking place in the country ahead of the polls, with the electoral body also activating a mass voter registration.