HSM Pressures Fawzia Yusuf Adam to Withdraw AU Chairperson Bid; She Defies the Pressure

Mogadishu, (IDNE, News Desk) — Fawzia Yusuf Adam, a prominent Somali Member of Parliament and former Deputy Prime Minister, announced on Thursday that she has faced intense pressure from Somalia’s highest officials to withdraw her candidacy for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission in favor of Djibouti’s candidate.

Speaking tearfully at a press conference in Mogadishu, Ms. Fawzia accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, and four regional state leaders of attempting to sabotage her bid. “I have been backstabbed by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and pressured to withdraw from the race,” she said.

The regional leaders involved in this request include Ahmed Abdi Karie, President of Galmudug; Ali Gudlawe, President of HirShabelle; Ahmed Mohamed Islam, President of Jubaland; and Abdiaziz Laftagareen, President of Southwest Somalia. Despite the pressure, Ms. Fawzia declared her determination to remain in the race, emphasizing the significance of the position for Somalia.

This development comes after the Somali Cabinet in February declared its full support for Ms. Fawzia’s candidacy, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre even forming a lobbying committee to back her bid. The abrupt shift in support has raised questions and concerns about the internal politics influencing Somalia’s stance on the AU Chairpersonship.

As of now, neither the Somali nor Djibouti governments have commented on Ms. Fawzia’s allegations.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has previously been accused of misogyny and prejudice against women, has a controversial history. Notably, in October 2023, he barred Marwa Abdibashir Hagi from representing Somalia at the International Parliamentary Union Assembly.

Ms. Fawzia, a trailblazer in Somali politics, made history as the first Somali woman to hold the high office of Deputy Prime Minister. Her extensive experience and resilience have garnered her significant support domestically and regionally, making her a formidable candidate for the AU Chairperson role.

Report contributed by 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆