Somalia: fallout looms between Farmaajo and Prime Minister within the function of Fahad Yasin
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Bitter fallout between outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble is looming in Somalia, following the reinstatement of sacked spy agency officials, in what now shows divisions within the government.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble sacked the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] Deputy Director Abdullahi Kulane and Abdiwahab Sheikh, the spy in charge of Adan Adde International Airport, in what he called “disrespect” to civilians.
But in an unprecedented turn of events, spy chief Fahad Yasin, the “untouchable” bureaucrat of the Farmaajo administration, reinstated the two, albeit in different capacities, but within NISA, which could irritate Roble.
Kulane, the former deputy director of NISA, is now the political and security assistant at NISA as part of the changes made by Fahad Yasin. On the other hand, Abdiwahab Sheikh has been appointed director of planning and technology at NISA.
The changes come as Roble is in London for official duties. While it’s not clear whether Roble has been informed of the changes, Yasin is taking instructions from Farmaajo, who is allegedly involved in a brawl with his prime minister, who was appointed in October 2020.
Fahad’s decision reveals the rivalry between the country’s two highest offices, which is said to be intensifying. Roble is trying to be authoritative on election matters where the opposition rejected Farmaajo’s inclusion in the harsh process for fear of rigging.
The dismissal of the two officials was expected, however, given the recent warning from Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who insisted that all citizens have the right to travel across the country. NISA agents are accused of harassing and intimidating opposition leaders in the past.
In a statement, the prime minister’s office accused the duo of disrespecting the prime minister of preventing senior officials from traveling to the Gedo region, where Roble is in charge of the upcoming elections in the country of the Horn of Africa.
“Following the unauthorized prevention of citizens who were due to depart from Aden Ade International Airport, Somali Prime Minister HE Mohamed Roble relieved of their duties NISA Human Resources Director Abdullahi Kullane and Chief Intelligence Officer of NISA at Aden Adde Airport, Abdiwahab Sh Ali, ”the prime minister said. the office said.
Abdullahi Kulane, a relative of outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo, has been accused of preventing opposition candidates running for elected seats in Gedo, Jubaland, from accessing their respective constituencies. The prime minister had previously warned officials to prevent candidates from surrendering and campaigning in parts of Somalia.
A government spokesperson said the decision to fire the spy chiefs was necessitated by the illegal decision to prevent citizens from leaving Mogadishu airport. Sources close to Villa Somalia said incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo was unhappy with the move and would seek to reinstate those responsible.
Axadlehas established that the administration attempted to block former governor Gedo Osman Mo’alimu from departing Mogadishu airport en route to Garbaharey, an area where the elections upset federal and state officials.
Mo’alimu accused Abdullahi Kulane, deputy director of NISA of being behind the incident and sent appeals to Prime Minister Mohamed Roble after he sent similar calls last month, saying he was being stuck in Mogadishu and banned from leaving by NISA agents.
In the latest changes, Fahad Yasin also elevated Abbas Yacqub to the post of deputy director of NISA, which was initially held by Abdullahi Kulane. He will also be in charge of human resources at the controversial agency.
AXADLETM
