By Abdiqani Haji Abdi

Blessings, Queen Boodo, restrictions, and accusations of murder and conspiracy—these were the dominant themes in Villa Hargeisa yesterday as the Somali House of Representatives descended into chaos. What was supposed to be a structured parliamentary session turned into an all-out brawl of shouting, accusations, and finger-pointing. The agenda was thrown out the window as MPs hurled verbal abuse at one another, with some even issuing outright criminal allegations.

A major point of contention was a motion demanding the reversal of the aviation ban on the Jubaland Administration. MPs had also intended to summon security agencies responsible for enforcing the blockade. However, the session rapidly deteriorated into a chaotic spectacle when several MPs raised concerns over travel restrictions to Kismayo. Their grievances were met with hostility from government-aligned lawmakers, leading to a heated exchange.

A Parliament Drenched in Hypocrisy

Several MPs attempted to address the appalling state of Parliament, yet these are the same individuals who previously approved the Turkish-Somalia defense agreement without even seeing its text. They are the same MPs who rubber-stamped unconstitutional amendments to the constitution and passed the highly controversial electoral law without scrutiny. Now, as their term nears its end, they are desperately trying to revive a dead horse. But they cannot deceive the people—their disgraceful legacy is etched in Somalia’s history and recognized by the international community. No one should lose sleep over the theatrical display they are putting on in their final days—the damage has already been done.

The MPs leading this charade are nothing more than President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s loyal minions, having proven their unwavering servitude time and again. They have amassed wealth through favoritism and corruption, far surpassing the earnings of hardworking businessmen. The Speaker of Parliament now owns the largest hotel in Baidoa, the First Deputy has purchased a mansion in Minneapolis (USA) along with two in Garowe, and the Second Deputy proudly owns a prime property near Corner Stadium in Abdiaziz District. To further entrench their corrupt network, they have placed relatives on the parliamentary payroll, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of personal enrichment.

Accusations Fly—Conspiracy, Corruption and Murder

During the session, an MP from Gedo Province accused Minister of Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag of murder and conspiracy, repeating the charge no fewer than ten times. The gravity of the accusation—a government minister being implicated in assassinations—was overshadowed by the general disorder in the chamber. Instead of being taken seriously, it became just another piece of political theater.

Legal experts argue that such allegations require an independent judicial investigation. However, given the current state of Somalia’s institutions, any expectation of due process is wishful thinking. The parliament, instead of serving as a legislative body, has become a circus of unrestrained personal and political vendettas.

A Parliament Without Scrutiny

Adding to the dysfunction, fundamental pieces of legislation have been bulldozed through without scrutiny or consultation. Among them:

• March 30, 2024: Four chapters of a new constitution, personally drafted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, were approved without any meaningful discussion, effectively discarding the consensus-based Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) that had been painstakingly negotiated.
• November 16, 2024: Parliament rubber-stamped the 1/P/1/V law on direct elections—a move widely criticized by opposition figures as unconstitutional.
• November 27, 2024: An electoral commission was hastily sworn in amid turmoil in the hall, highlighting the government’s disregard for proper procedure.

All these laws share one thing in common: an absolute lack of consultation, reflecting an administration obsessed with consolidating power at all costs.

Women’s Day Delusions: Where Exactly is This Election Happening?

On March 8, 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made a speech for International Women’s Day, declaring that direct elections would allow Somalis to cast their votes, compete for leadership, and participate in governance. One might wonder if he is mentally unfit or simply detached from reality. Three federal member states have severed ties with the federal government, and the remaining FM States have been a battleground since 2022. Where, exactly, does he intend to hold these elections?

The Somali people, already exhausted by decades of instability, are now being forced to endure an administration that is both incompetent and oppressive. The aviation blockade on Jubaland has left its people isolated, with sick individuals unable to seek medical treatment in Mogadishu or even neighboring Kenya. In a grim irony, the only direct flight from Kenya to Kismayo is the one carrying khat—a narcotic drug known locally as miraa. Why is this flight allowed? Because the president’s family reportedly earns $4.5 per kilogram of imported khat. For Hassan Sheikh’s administration, the well-being of the Somali people is secondary to profits.

Land Sales and Mass Displacement

Meanwhile, the president’s corruption extends beyond aviation. His administration has engaged in the reckless sale of public land, bypassing treasury oversight and transferring ownership to dubious business figures with personal ties to him. This blatant nepotism has not only robbed Somalia of valuable public assets but has also resulted in the displacement of 600,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Who are these IDPs? Many are families of demoralized Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers or the orphaned relatives of fallen SNA troops. These families, who have already sacrificed so much for the country, now find themselves homeless and abandoned. And yet, President Hassan Sheikh expects the same soldiers to continue sacrificing their lives for a government that treats them with utter contempt.

Al-Shabaab Advances While Puntland Fights ISIS

Since April 2022, President Hassan Sheikh has been preaching in his mosque about eradicating Al-Shabaab from Somalia. Yet today, Al-Shabaab is bombarding the airport, forcing international airlines to flee, and their front lines have moved just a 25-minute drive from the capital. In contrast, Puntland Federal Member State (PFM) President Said Abdullahi Deni launched an anti-ISIS operation codenamed “Lightning” in January 2025. At the time of this writing, he has nearly dislodged ISIS from the Almiskad mountains, forcing them to flee for their lives. The stark difference between the two leaders could not be clearer: one is actively securing his FM State, while the other is watching as his capital falls apart.

The Legacy of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: A Presidency Built on Nepotism and Cronyism

This administration will go down in history as the most nepotistic and corrupt in Somalia’s modern era. Hassan Sheikh has placed friends and family in key government positions, ensuring that contracts and economic opportunities remain within his inner circle. Every policy decision—from land sales to aviation restrictions—serves his personal and political interests rather than the nation’s welfare.

With Somalia’s governance in shambles, Parliament reduced to a chaotic shouting match, and FM States rejecting the authority of the central government, one question remains: How long will this continue? How much more will the Somali people endure before they say enough is enough?

For now, it seems Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is content to rule over a crumbling state, so long as his family profits from it.

Abdiqani Haji Abdi
Email: Hajiabdi0128@gmail.com