Federal government of Somalia stands at a critical juncture, grappling with an escalating security crisis driven by the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab/ISIS and compounded by a systemic corruption and nepotism within its leadership.
On March 13, 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appointed Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan, widely reported to be his niece, as Senior Advisor on Defense Affairs—a decision that has ignited widespread outrage and reignited debates over governance integrity. This appointment, set against the backdrop of Somalia’s faltering offensive against Al-Shabaab and raises profound questions about the intersection of family loyalty, institutional competence, and national security.
Drawing on recent developments, public sentiment, and historical patterns, this article examines the implications of nepotism under Mohamud’s administration and its potential to undermine Somalia’s stability.
The Appointment of Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan
A Case Study in Nepotism
The appointment of Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan as Senior Advisor on Defense Affairs has been met with accusations of nepotism, with critics arguing that it exemplifies a broader trend of favoritism within Mohamud’s administration. Official statements from Somali state media highlight Jihaan’s purported 13 years of experience in security and defense reform, citing her contributions to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), its successor AUSSOM, and the restructuring of the Somali National Army (SNA). However, skepticism persists regarding the transparency of her qualifications and the necessity of the role itself, given the existence of a National Security Advisor position.
Public reaction, as reflected in posts on X (formerly Twitter) has been sharply critical. One user questioned, “Does she have a defense or security background?” while another labeled the move a “shameless display of nepotism,” arguing that such a critical position should be reserved for a seasoned military expert rather than a family member.
These sentiments echo broader concerns that Somalia’s defense strategy is being compromised by leadership decisions prioritizing clan and familial ties over meritocracy—a governance flaw that Transparency International has consistently linked to weakened state institutions and heightened corruption risks.
A Pattern of Family Appointments
Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan appointment is not a one-off event. Since returning to power in 2022, Mohamud has faced allegations of stacking key government positions with relatives and loyalists. Notable facts include the appointment of Adam Roble, his son-in-law, as Director General of the Development and Reconstruction Bank of Somalia, and the reported allocation of government properties and revenue streams to his wife and brother.
These claims align with patronage that has persisted across Mohamud’s tenure, including his first term (2012–2017), during which parliament twice passed no-confidence motions amid corruption scandals.
Another factor complicating the picture is the role of Jihaan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president’s daughter, who has been accused of wielding influence exceeding that of the Foreign Minister despite lacking diplomatic credentials. In February 2025, Abdisalam Guled, a former senior security expert, publicly questioned why Mohamud includes his daughter in high-level security and diplomatic engagements, advising a lack of confidence in existing institutions. Such patterns of familial involvement risk eroding public trust and institutional legitimacy, key pillars for effective governance in a fragile state like Somalia.
Corruption and Al-Shabaab Offensive
Somalia’s security landscape remains dire, with Al-Shabaab maintaining control over significant rural territories despite Mohamud’s 2022 declaration of war against the group. The offensive, initially marked by optimism, has stalled, with analysts attributing setbacks to inadequate resources, poor coordination, and corruption within the security sector. Reports from Somali media and diaspora outlets allege that funds intended for military operations and humanitarian aid have been diverted to patronage networks, though concrete evidence remains elusive.
The appointment of unqualified or politically connected individuals to defense roles could exacerbate these challenges. Allies, including Western donors, have repeatedly warned that corruption and incompetence at the highest levels obstruct efforts to strengthen Somalia’s national defense. If Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan’s appointment reflects a preference for loyalty over expertise, it may signal to both domestic and international stakeholders that Somalia’s leadership is ill-equipped to address the Al-Shabaab threat—a perception that could jeopardize critical foreign support.
Governance Implications and Accounting Gaps Nepotism, as a form of corruption, undermines merit-based governance and fosters environments where accountability is scarce. In Somalia, where state institutions are already fragile, the concentration of power within a single family risks alienating broader societal factions and deepening clan-based divisions. The lack of transparent vetting processes for appointees like Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan exemplifies this accountability deficit, leaving Somalis and observers to question whether decisions serve the public interest or private gain.
The appointment of unqualified or politically connected individuals to defense roles could exacerbate these challenges. Allies, including Western donors which have repeatedly warned that corruption and incompetence at the highest levels obstruct efforts to strengthen Somalia’s national defense. If Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan’s appointment reflects a preference for loyalty over expertise, it may signal to both domestic and international stakeholders that Somalia’s Mohamud’s administration has yet to address these allegations substantively, with Jihaan herself offering only a brief statement of gratitude on X (Twitter) two days prior to her appointment: “Thank you Mr. President for your continued encouragement. We stand firm in supporting our Security Forces.” Such responses do little to quell concerns about her qualifications or the strategic rationale behind her role.
Requesting for Transparency
Somalia’s federal government path to stability hinges on robust, transparent governance capable of confronting both internal corruption and external threats like Al-Shabaab and ISIS. The appointment of Jihaan Abdullahi Hassan, viewed through the lens of Mohamud’s history of nepotism and favoritism, has been signaling the urgent need for institutional reform. Idil News calls for an independent investigation into recent appointments, alongside the establishment of clear, merit-based criteria for senior government positions. Without such measures, Somalia risks further entrenching a system where personal loyalty trumps national security—a recipe for continued instability and potential collapse.
As the international community watches closely, the onus rests on Mohamud’s administration to demonstrate that it prioritizes competence over kinship. Failure to do so may not only prolong Somalia’s security crisis but also erode the fragile trust between its government and its people.
This article from Jibril Qoobey, an investigative journalist and chief-editor of Idil News through primary and reliable sources.
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