Tag: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

MISSING A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

In 1964 a war broke out at boundary between Somalia and then Imperial Government of Ethiopia. At the time, Somalia was conducting a national election. There was a tremendous public pressure to cancel the election in order to defend the country. Late Somali President of the Republic, Aden Abdulle Osman (Aden Adde) spoke on the Ethiopian attack, saying then the infamous sentence, ” we will fight with our fingernails”. The Prime Minister, Abdirashid Ali Sharma’arke spoke after the President to say that “Somalis will fight with one hand and vote with the other”. The Prime Minister’s statement turned out to be a wild fire for national resolve in time of war and election. He had seized the opportunity and thus made history.

A few years ago, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and his Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre were invited to seize the historic opportunity of laying the foundation stone for the construction of one of the biggest investment projects in Africa, Gara’ad Seaport, entirely funded privately by Somali business community. Unfortunately, they both missed out.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has the imagination and vision not to miss this historic ceremonial event, which is happening under his watch and leadership. He is lucky to cut the ribbon for Gara’ad Port opening for business. Congratulations to all, who made this gigantic community achievement possible, including Puntland Government under the leadership of President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Foundation Stone for the construction of Wadaagsin Highway from Gara’ad to Galdogob at border with Ethiopia laid by Federal President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
( picture: Courtesy to Dalmar Media)

HAUNTING POLITICAL IMAGE OF SOMALIA’S PRESIDENT HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD

Picture of the Day: Only Foreign Minister Abshir Huruse stands out as an odd man in the crowd of HSM in Addis Ababa today.

UPDATE ON THE GAROWE TALKS BETWEEN FGS AND PL

https://wp.me/p32mpX-47v

HSM’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN PROMISES BROKEN

“XASAN SHIIKH MAXAMUUD INTUU YAQAANAY WAA DHAAFTAY” (Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is doing more than he could handle).

“Wada Ogool” (Governing by Consensus) and “Soomaali Wada Heshiis ah, Dunidana Heshiis la ah” (Somalis in agreement with themselves and with the world community) were big slogans and promises President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud repeatedly uttered during his presidential campaign for election or re-election, given he broke the Somali Doctrine for the first time in Somali history (winning re-election). That was quite impressive. But election campaign promises became inconvenient to keep once elected, and now he is doubling-down on Former President Farmajo’s disdain for consensus building and working with Federal Member States. Strangely, he started governing by non-stop foreign visits without his new government in place, something even Farmajo couldn’t do. He made high profile appointments immediately after he was sworn-in. It took him more than a month to screen out able and potential candidates for efficient Cabinet. While he was busy in unilateral decision-making on Cabinet formation and foreign visits without even his foreign policy team instituted, a few things were happening:

  1. Alshabab got bolder and deadlier;
  2. Ethiopia stepped in to reconnect with Federal Member States;
  3. Scramble for Miraa import from Kenya was occurring in Mogadishu among supporters and non-supporters of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu.

Since his campaign promises meant nothing now, political cynicism sets in in most Somali regions. It looks that Mohamud didn’t take advantage of popular optimism generated by the recent change of guard in Villa Somalia. Can he mend things and regain lost momentum? Some observers say that HSM’s mind on governance is already set like his predecessor, but in the case of HSM, he is a micromanager, who wouldn’t delegate even to his Prime Minister.

Have your say.

WHY HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD ISN’T OPEN-MINDED

So, the long awaited list of Somali Federal Government Cabinet is finally out. Here it is:

1- Saalax Axmed Jaamac, Ra’iisul Wasaare ku-xigeen
2- Mukhtaar Rooboow Abuu Mansuur, Wasiirka Awqaafta iyo Diinta
3- Xasan Macallin, Wasiirka Cadaaladda iyo Dastuurka
4- Axmed Macallin Fiqi, Wasiirka Arrimaha Gudaha
5- Dr. Cilmi Maxamuud Nuur, Wasiirka Maaliyadda
6- Cabduqaadir Maxamed Nuur (Jaamac), Wasiirka Gaashaandhigga
7- Abshir Cumar Huruuse, Wasiirka Arrimaha Dibadda iyo Iskaashiga Caalamiga
8- Faarax Sheekh Cabdulqaadir, Wasiirka Waxbarashada iyo Tacliinta Sare
9- Maxamuud Cabdiraxmaan Beena Beene, Wasiirka Qorsheynta iyo Maalgashiga
10 -Jaamac ilka Jiir, Wasiirka Dekedaha iyo Gaadiidka
11 -Fardowsa Cismaan Dhoore, Wasiirka Gaadiidka Cirka iyo Dhulka
12- Jaamac Xasan Khaliif, Wasiirka Boosatada iyo Isgaarsiinta
13- Xasan Xuseen Eelaay, Wasiirka Xananaada Xoolaha
14- Jibriil Cabdirashiid, Wasiirka Ganacsiga Warshadaha
15- Ismaaciil Sheekh Bashiir, Wasiirka Howlaha Guud iyo Gureyenta
16 -Khadiija Maxamed Diiriye, Wasiirka Haweenka
17- Dr. Crisaaq Cumar Maxamed, Wasiirka Batroolka iyo Macdanta
18- Maxamuud Doodishe, Wasiirka Amniga Gudaha
19- Axmed Madoobe Nuunoow, Wasiirka Beeraha iyo Waraabka
20 – Cali Xaaji Aadan, Wasiirka Caafimaadka
21- Axmed Xasan Aadan, Wasiirka Kalluumeysiga iyo Kheyeaadka Badda
22- Daa’uud Aweys Wasiirka Warfaafinta
23 – Biixi Iimaan Cige. Wasiirka Shaqada iyo Shaqaalaha
24 – Jaamac Taqal, Wasiirka Korontada iyo Biyaha
25- Maxamed Barre Maxamuud, Wasiirka Dhallinyarada iyo Ciyaraaha
26- Khadiija Al-Makhzuumi, Wasiirka Bay’adda iyo isbddelka Cimiladda

Looking at composition of this list and underservingly prolonged time it took to produce, it is obvious that there has been deep screening to find persons who had no experience, or having no knowledge of business or public office expertise, with only few exceptions. Here, one is tempted to recall a Somali saying: “A mountain has been laboring painfully for days, and finally gave birth to a rat”.

We don’t want to get into the description and analysis of other constituencies from which President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has drawn the list of members of the New Cabinet, although we are fairly sure that some of the other constituencies fare no better in Mohamud’s selection or choice for his enterprise than Puntland. The few appointed ministers from Puntland include General Ilkajir, Fardowsa Osman Egal, Abshir Huruse and Hange, among one or two more. Those who haven’t yet looked at this selection from Puntland constituency, will discover that none of them, save General Ilkajir, has anything or experience to bring to Hamse Cabinet, a man who is nominally the “Prime Minister” of Somalia, but actually a decoy to deceive people. They have been cleaverly picked up by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to screen out any able candidates from Puntland State. Some people may argue otherwise. Be fair to Mohamud’s appointees, I agree. But, tell us what experience, skills or knowledge a still single young girl, Fardowsa Osman Egal, would bring to the Cabinet or her portofolio? What about Abshir Huruse, the Foreign Minister designate? How would he be able to handle Somali foreign affairs and diplomacy in this complex world of conflict, wars and ideological confrontation, when he had never held public office before? Hange was a junior minister in Said Deni’s Cabinet here in Puntland. As a Deputy Minister in Hamse’s Cabinet, that may be ok. But, still there are others more qualified.

To make a long story short, like most politicians of Somali origin, Mohamud’s concern in governance and leadership is personal, biased and prejugemental. As a student of Somali Civil War and religious sectarianism, he is daring, though, in carrying out his unbalanced political agenda, given the chance. After all, it wasn’t a long ago during his first term as Federal President that he fought hard to derail the formation of Jubaland Administration, and only accepted it after Jubaland President Madoobe had offered him some Hawiye members in Jubaland Cabinet and House of Representatives in a non-Hawiye constituency.

Finally, one Somali observer put the percentage at 45 of the total 26 cabinet members, who belonged to now defunct Union of Islamic Courts (Islamic Court Union, ICU). Amazing! Mr Mohamud had also managed to stuff his men into most key ministries like petroleum, education, security, interior, planning and others. He has eliminated the Ministry of Human Affairs and Disaster Management to give leeway to his Special Envoy, Abdirahman Abdishakur.

As a graduate of General Aideed’s ideology on ethnic cleansing and marginalization, he is committed to getting even more biased towards his own constituency. I can bet my money on this. Recall what tribalistic ideology of SOMALI CONCERN, HAWIYE ACTION GROUP (HAG) and SOMALI DIASPORA ALLIANCE, among other hate groups, HSM adhered to in the past. He was sympathetic to ICU as well and allowed militarily untrained SIMAD College students to fight alongside ICU militants against the Somali Transitional Federal Government. These young kids were decimated by the defending Ethiopian forces at Baydhaba City vanity in 2006. The decision to fight along ICU, Alshabab and Alqaeda militants by Al-Islah splinter group led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led to the rise of a faction called “Damul-Jadid. Watch out!

[This article was updated since posting].

A CABINET MADE IN HELL

January 12, 2015
By WardheerNews

Somalis both in the country and abroad kept longing for the appointment of the new cabinet. Rumors swirled around in Mogadishu about a deadlock between the president and the prime minister about the formation of the cabinet.

Then last night, PM Sharmarke dropped a bombshell.

Omer Cabdirashiid1“I am bringing back the old cabinet,” declared Sharmarke. What followed was a regurgitation of the list of the cabinet ministers that the last PM Abdiweli Ahmed had left behind.

President Mohamoud has finally got the right prime minister he has been looking for.

It is obvious that there was no deadlock or misunderstanding between the president and the prime minister. The whole thing was a game that Villa Somalia and PM Sharmarke had concocted. President Mohamoud was the one who in fact orchestrated the appointment of these ministers. The cabinet consists of the usual suspects: Damul Jadid ideologues, old friends of the president, and a few faces that have no distinction. For instance, a former cabinet named Abdikarim Hussein Guled (a Damul Jadid figure), failed in his old job as a minister in charge of Interior. Under his watch, there was an unprecedented spike of violence by Al-Shabaab, where civilians and various Parliament members have lost their precious lives. Subsequently, Guled was forced out of his job. Today, thanks to PM Sharmarke, Guled was gifted to his old job. This travesty only happens in Somalia under the leadership of President Mohamoud.

The new cabinet has 26 ministers and only two are women. In other words, the 60 officials PM Sharmarke appointed, only 4 are women, and hence less than 1 percent (0.06% to be exact).

Omar A. Sharmarke comes from a family steeped in Somali politics and history, and he himself was a former prime minister. He had spent most of his life abroad and worked for the United Nations. Only a few weeks ago, Sharmarke was the Somali Ambassador to the U.S, and was suddenly thrown into the PM position when the president needed someone who could bring to live his life’s vision of nepotism and corruption. If Mr. Sharmarke was chosen for his unique and stellar background, it did not help him select a fair, competent, inclusive, and gender-sensitive cabinet.

The predictions are clear, he will relent his duties to the President who had been infighting with two former Prime Ministers, because they refused to allow his willy-nilly, overextending, and manipulative ways.

The new cabinet is an embarrassment to the nation and to PM Sharmarke who has shown the world that he is nothing but a lackey to a president who never learns from his past colossal blunders. It is ironic that this sham cabinet will preside upon a government that is supposed to prepare the country for the 2016 elections.

Prime Minister Sharmarke has lost an opportunity to be visionary, creative, and an agent of change. He failed the mothers and children who are caught in the abyss, those whose lives haven’t seen a break in the interim of president Mohamoud’s tenure. He is one notch lower than the previous two prime ministers who—at least—had a modicum of independent mind.

Omar Abdirashid “Sharmarke”, reduced himself to a man who has accepted, from day one, a mere figurehead status.

The list of Sharmarke’s new cabinet :

Ministers from Dir clan

Maxamed Cumar Carte (Qaalib), Ra’isulwasaare Xigeen, Habar Awal, Sacad Muuse, Isaaq
Cabdiraxmaan Ducaale Beyle, Wasiirka Arrimaha Dibadda & Dhiirigalinta Maalgashiga, Gadabuursi, Dir
Cabdalla Bos Axmed, Wasiirka Boostada iyo Isgaarsiinta, Habaryoonis, Isaaq
Maxamed Cabdi Xayir Maareeye, Wasiirka Korontada iyo Biyaha, Habarjeclo, Isaaq
Cabdulqaadir Sheekh Cali Baqdaadi, Wasiirka Diinta iyo Awqaafta, Reer Aw Saciid , Dir
Cabdullaahi Sheekh Ismaaciil, Wasiirka Gaadiidka Cirka iyo Dhulka, Biyomaal, Dir
Ministers from Hawiye:

Cabdikariin Xuseen Guuleed, Wasiirka Arrimaha Gudaha iyo Federaalka , Habargidir, Hawiye,
Cabdullaahi Maxamed Cali (Sanbaloolshe), Wasiirka Amniga, Xawaadle, Hawiye,
Maxamed Mukhtaar, Wasiirka Kaluumeysiga iyo Kheyraadka Badda, Gaaljecel. Hawiye
Nadiifo Maxamed Cismaan, Wasiirka Hawlaha Guud iyo Dib u Dhiska,Gugundhabe , Hawiye
Mustaf Sh. Cali Dhuxulow, Wasiirka Warfaafinta, Hiddaha iyo Dalxiiska Murusade, Hawiye
Faarax Cabdulqadir, Wasiirka Cadaaladda ,Reer Aw Xasan, Hawiye
Xasan Maxamed Jimcaale, Wasiiru Dawlaha Dastuurka, Duduble, Hawiye
Ministers from Daarood clan:

Xuseen Cabdi Xalane, Wasiirka Maaliyadda ,Ogaadeen, Daarood
Daa’uud Maxamed Cumar, Wasiirka Macdanta iyo Batroolka, Dhulbahante, Daarood
Cabduqadir Gaabane, Wasiirka Dastuurka, Leelkase Daarood
Maxamud Cali Magan, Wasiirka Qorsheynta iyo Iskaashiga Caalamiga, Mareexaan, Daarood
Cabdullahi Axmed Jaamac ” Ilka Jiir”, Wasiirka Waxbarashada iyo Barbaarinta, Warsengeli, Daarood
Faysal Xuseen Ciid, Wasiirka Caafimaadka, Carab Saalax,Daarood,
Maxamud Xayir Ibrahim, Wasiiru Dawlaha Madaxtooyadda, Majeerteen, Daarood.
Ministers from Digil & Mirifle:

Maxamed Sheekh Cismaan, Wasiirka Gaashaandhiga, Raxanweyn
Yusuf Macalin Amiin,Wasiirka Dekaddaha, Leesaan, Raxanweyn.
Xuseen Maxamed Sheekh Badni, Wasiirka Beeraha, Raxanweyn
Abukar Cabdi Cusmaan (Mardaadi), Wasiirka Xanaanada Xoolaha Dhirta iyo Daaqa, Garre, Digil
Axmadeey Sheekh Mukhtaar, Wasiirka Diinta iyo Aawqaafta, Raxanweyn
Ministers from various clans ( Beesha Shanaad):

Khadijo Mohamed Diiriye ,Wasiirka Haweenka iyo qoyska, Madhibaan
Maxamed Cumar Caymooy, Wasaaradda Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada, Jareerweyne
Burci Maxamed Xamza Wasiiru dawlaha Xafiiska Ra’isul Wasaaraha, Reer Baraawe
WardheerNews
Email:admind@wardheernews.com