By Dr. Mohamud M. Uluso
Monday, May, 9, 2022
In this article, I would like to
highlight the backgrounds, the virtues, and contributions of Hassan Sheikh
Mohamud and Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, prominent Somali political
oppositions who distinguished themselves in the struggle for democracy in Somalia.
They are candidates for the highest office of Somalia, the presidency. They
possess what has been defined the constitutional character which includes “sensitivity
to basic human rights, respect for due process, willingness to accept
responsibility, tolerance of the opposition, and mostly importantly a
commitment to candor.”
Absolutely, I don’t impugn the qualifications of any other presidential
candidate. My aim is to recognize the efforts, sacrifices, and consistency of
the two opposition leaders in the last five years in the face of the brutal
rule of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo who destroyed Somalia’s future.
It’s inconceivable that Farmajo harbors the intention of participating the
presidential election set for May 15, 2022, hoping that there is a number of
members of the federal parliament who will vote for him. A president who has
been barred from the involvement in the election process for his violation of
the constitution cannot hold public office. Vote for Farmajo is vote for the
death of Somalia.
Abdirahman Abdishakur, 54 years old, is well educated leader in religion, law,
international relations, management, and leadership with high degrees from
reputable international institutions. He also has an impressive experience in Somali
politics. He was member of the federal parliament between 2009 and 2012 and
presently is member of the House of the People for 2022 -2026 term. He was the
chief negotiator and spokesperson of the Alliance of Re-Liberation of Somalia
(ARS) during the 2008 Somali Peace talks with the federal government in
Djibouti. The parties agreed the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from
Somalia and the formation of national unity government. Mr. Abdirahman became
the Minister of National Planning and International Cooperation.
After leaving the transitional federal government, Abdirahman became the
Political Adviser of United Nations Mission for Somalia (UNSOM) under the
leadership of the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary General, Nicolas
Kay and Michael Keating. Not least, he held the position of the Executive
Director of Muslim Welfare Centre, the third largest Centre in the United
Kingdom. His resume attests his excellent knowledge and experience of public
service in government, opposition, and religion.
Maliciously, he was accused of selling Somali Maritime territory to Kenya after
signing on behalf of the transitional federal government of President Sheikh
Sharif and PM Omar Abdirashid a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya,
granting each other “no objection in respect of submissions on the outer
limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical Miles to the Commission on
the Limits of the continental shelf” as required by the UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Sheikh Sharif and PM Omar Abdirashid who
authorized the signing of the MoU didn't defend Abdirahman and MoU vigorously
and unambiguously and didn’t take responsibility of the consequences.
Fortunately, he has been vindicated during the public hearing on the
jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the case of Somalia
and Kenya maritime boundary dispute. The Somali delegation attending the court
hearing publicly declared that the good reputation of Abdirahman Abdishakur was
smeared for fabricated crime. The MoU served well its purpose and the Somali
interest.
The security forces of
Farmajo’s government attacked him in his house in the middle of the night,
killing five soldiers and one woman and wounding him without any reason.
Farmajo and other officials have yet to tell the people the reason behind the deadly
attack.
Professor Hassan Sheikh
Mohamud, 67 years old, was a well-respected leader in the Somali education
system and civil society movement before becoming the first President of the
Federal Republic of Somalia between 2012 and 2016. He was defeated by President
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in 2017. Somali Political pundits attributed his
defeat to the combination of the magnitude of the problems razing the country
and the below expectation performance of his government, and the corruption
allegations that frustrated the public and energized support for change. Some
of his collaborators were accused of factionalism and marginalization attitude
that infuriated different groups. President Hassan was proud of his
accomplishments and agreed that his government had unfinished goals to
accomplish if reelected, which didn’t happen. His successor Farmajo moved the
country backward.
However, President Hassan is
remembered for the promotion of the collaboration of the federal government
with the international partners of Somalia. Particularly, the engagement of the
International Financial Institutions has led to the IMF-Staff Monitored
Program, a catalyst for increased flow of financial resources for security,
economic, and social development and for the process of the debt relief, and
the improvement of public financial management and protection of remittance
flows.
He pushed the implementation of 2016 indirect elections with determination and
time-frame. More importantly, his graceful acceptance of his defeat in the
presidential election has been applauded nationally and internationally and
strengthened the democratic tradition of peaceful transfer of power. Farmajo
spoiled that Somali success story.
President Hassan took the historical decision to bring the case of the maritime
boundary dispute with Kenya to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and put
together a remarkable legal team. The move infuriated Kenya leaders and
surprised many international powers. Despite his adverse decision, President
Hassan maintained cordial relation with Kenya. Farmajo could have jeopardized
the case for political expediency had it not been the progress made before him,
the public vigilance, and Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf’s immense influence.
Without doubt, the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh maintained certain
degree of respect to the democratic norms and moved the country forward. He
didn’t choose to use violence after Farmajo’s government violated several times
his life and rights.
What’s more significant, the public virtues of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and
Abdirahman Abdishakur shined during the disastrous extended five-year tenure of
Farmajo who veered Somalia off the right path for national reconciliation, rule
of law, and good governance. Working with the Presidents of Puntland and
Jubbaland Said Abdullahi Deni and Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Ahmed Madobe” who
valiantly opposed the predatory leadership of Farmajo and with other ambivalent
and scorned opposition figures, they became the authentic face of the
political opposition outside the federal government.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Abdirahman Abdishakur filled candidly the patriotic
role of the political opposition in preventing the obliteration of the democratic
system of governance. Their daily challenges against the egregious
transgressions of president Farmajo’s government with competence, tenacity, and
conviction were remarkably effective. Other opposition figures usually spoke
guardedly or waffled on the widespread abuse of power and corruption of the
federal government. Those opposition politicians either didn’t appreciate the
gravity of Farmajo’s transgressions and their responsibilities to speak out consistently
or they believed in the rules of the power which say- conceal your intention,
use absence to increase respect and honor, and play to people’s
fantasies to avoid telling the truth. Clear and consistent opposition is
essential pillar in the political stability and progress of Somalia.
Opposition leaders Hassan Sheikh and Abdirahman Abdishakur contributed
considerably to prevent the capture and personalization of the state power by
Farmajo and his cabal for more than five years. Had it not been for their
strenuous efforts to inform and educate the public, the international partners
of Somalia, and the media daily on the abuses of power, corruption, and
political violence committed by Farmajo’s government, Somalia would have ceased
to exist as a state due to political violence and armed conflict. They defeated
Farmajo’s authoritarianism with wisdom and courage.
Somalia needs competent,
trustworthy, democratic president committed to the rule of law, able to bring
Somalia out of the political, security, and economic paralysis in the next four
years. The role of the federal President is to defend the constitution,
national unity, and honorable and respectable international representation.
With the help of Allah, Hassan Sheikh and Abdirahman Abdishakur possess the
virtues, knowledge, and experience to change the political landscape of Somalia
for better one.
Dr. Mohamud M. Uluso
[email protected]