The Fallacy of Promised Unity: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Second Term and the Fragmentation of Somalia”.

In 2022, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was re-elected as President of Federal republic of Somalia, marking the beginning of his second term in office.

This return to power came with renewed promises and ambitious goals centred on deepening federalism in Somalia under the guise of his display in the PDRC talks in 2021, which was titled ‘Federalism and Proper implementation of its principles’. Peculiarly, I attended the night of the PDRC talk where I witnessed Hassan Sheikh answering a crucial remark with unwavering certainty, the question was titled (Is there any alternative then federalism, is there a better option out there?) To which he answered, ‘No, there is no better option available’.

Naively, I indulged this information without any pre-emptive doubts as I trusted his promises. This vision which Hassan Sheikh had promised the people of Somalia during the PDRC talks, was a vision that held an insurmountable amount of substance and integrity.

But through his public ‘service’ during his second term, he has deteriorated the unity of the nation by his actions.

He has monopolised his administration and has appointed promised roles to those who stay loyal to him, particularly his ministers, members of parliament and other roles within his team, but of course not all support his actions such as MP Abdulrahman Abdi-Shukur who has displayed contempt towards such behaviours such as nepotism and dictatorships.

Additionally, this has created a big rift between Puntland and Hassan Sheikh as of now, as Puntland has shown to be the only state which has explicitly shown disdain towards these actions and shown great initiative in defending the federal constitution of 2012 in isolation.

Puntland in Somalia is known as the mother of federalism and has since 2004 invested a great deal of effort into promoting unity within the nation, as well as prioritizing a federal system.

Instead of convening collectively with the stakeholders in the nation, Hassan Sheikh has chosen to individually change the constitution according to his favour and whim.

Consequently, because of Hassan Sheikh’s actions, it has forced Puntland’s hand to withdraw its recognition and trust in the federal government of Somalia and called for a “mutually agreed constitutional process by condemning the actions of his administration and directly denying any involvement in these drastic actions by Hassan Sheikh.

Furthermore, instead of owning up to his wrongdoings Hassan Sheikh decided to strike Puntland by deliberately withholding any foreign international aid intended to support Somalia members entirely, including budget support.

He has weaponised his position by displaying authoritarian-like behaviour, given that Somalia is in a fragile state there needs to be a wide consensus among stakeholders to ensure stability in the decision-making process regarding crucial matters such as the constitution and matters regarding core issues within the nation.

On the 8th of June, in the province of Galgaduud there was a major conflict involving two rival militias where approximately more than 50 lives were lost. Due to the instability in the region, there needs to be a firm directed hand in regulating these issues as they can fester to create outbursts as such. It is the president’s moral duty to appease situations as such, particularly with a nation which is fragmented and fragile.

In the kaleidoscope of leadership, there needs to be an element of humility and humbleness when exercising your power as a leader (especially in a nation such as Somalia) where exploitation of power is a major concern.

But instead of using his moral initiative by addressing the tragedies that occur such as the likes displayed in the province of Galgduud, he has decided to not only not address the events but leave the nation for talks in Norway.

He has displayed no real passion for returning to the country under duress of addressing the tragedy to appease locals and stabilise the region which should be his number 1 priority.

To conclude, the behaviour that Hassan Sheikh and his administration have displayed is the menacing mark of corruption, nepotism and selfishness which pre-emptively has frozen the process of progress into rebuilding our political landscape. Moving forward, we must incentivise condemning this current federal administration as we can hope that Hassan Shiekh can mend his ways and repair what he has damaged.

DR. Liban Cigaal
Libaanegaal74@gmail.com