Wednesday April 3, 2024
Samira Gaid is a leading regional security analyst with over two decades of professional experience in the Horn of Africa.
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somalia's Ministry of Internal Security has terminated Mrs. Samira Gaid's consultancy contract for the European Union-funded SJGAB Project after she expressed her political opinions in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
A Ministry statement explained that Mrs. Samira Gaid's recent tweets on political issues directly contradict the principles of impartiality and neutrality that are essential for people serving in advisory roles in government projects.
"As an organization committed to promoting security and stability, the Ministry of Internal Security cannot condone or endorse behavior that may undermine these principles or jeopardize the integrity of our projects," the statement said.
"Your actions have raised doubts about your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this role in a manner that is consistent with the objectives of the project and the standards of professionalism expected from our partners," the statement added.
Gaid was dismissed following a public spat on X (formerly Twitter) with Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirizak Mohamed MP, who criticized Mrs. Samira for posting views against the federal government that employs her.
"Posturing partisan politics by posting views against the FGS that employs you is utterly wrong. Spewing partisan political rhetoric while working for the Ministry of Internal Security shows you are not committed the vision & policies of the FGS pertaining to SSR in the midst of ATMIS drawdown," he said.
In response, the leader of the Wadajir Party, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, lamented that a government minister openly threatened a fellow citizen for expressing her opinion, leading to the termination of her consulting job.
"The misuse of power, particularly against women and marginalized communities, creates a strong sense of injustice. I strongly urge the Justice and Judiciary Committee of the Parliament to intervene and investigate this matter to prevent similar practices in the future."
He called on independent media to investigate the matter. MP Abdirahman Abdishakur added that those who used to criticize the previous government for targeting citizens based on their opinions are now engaging in similar actions.
"It seems that we are not learning from our past, as historical evidence shows that injustice, corruption, nepotism, and the abuse of power have often resulted in state collapse. Suppressing opinions is the preferred weapon for insecure regimes that fear criticism. It is a tactic to hide their own weaknesses and lack of competence."
Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid also criticized the government's action, arguing that it suppresses freedom of speech. He tweeted, "How can the FGS justify this ego-rooted action when the President himself, in one of his Friday lectures, invited people to exercise their rights & advance their opinions on the constitutional debate."
Neither the Ministry of Internal Security nor Mrs. Samira Gaid responded to HOL's requests for comment.