By Abdullahi Ahmed Nor

Introduction

Somalia has endured decades of conflict, instability, and political fragmentation. Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, the country has struggled to rebuild its institutions and establish effective governance. Amid this backdrop, the Federal Parliament of Somalia, established in 2012 as part of efforts to restore order and democracy, has become a focal point for both hope and disappointment. While it was intended to represent the will of the Somali people and serve as a cornerstone of democratic governance, the Federal Parliament has been marred by pervasive corruption, undermining its credibility and effectiveness.

This is part one of a series of articles that highlights the current leadership of Somalia’s Federal Parliament. It explores the multifaceted nature of corruption within the institution, its impact on governance and stability, and the broader implications for Somalia’s future.

Historical Background

The establishment of the Federal Parliament was a significant milestone in Somalia’s political transition. Formed as part of the Provisional Federal Constitution adopted in 2012, the Parliament was envisioned to be a democratic body representing the diverse clans and regions of Somalia. It consists of two houses: The House of the People (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Members of the Parliament (MPs) are elected based on a complex clan-based power-sharing formula, known as the 4.5 system, which allocates seats to the four major clans and a coalition of minority clans.

Despite these efforts to create an inclusive and representative institution, the Federal Parliament has been plagued by corruption and gross mismanagement , undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness. Corruption within the Parliament takes various forms, including vote-buying, bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. These practices have eroded public trust, hindered legislative processes, oversight and thus exacerbated political instability.

The affairs and operations of Somalia’s Federal Parliament is dominated by the Executive Branch of the Government, rending the parliament a mere rubber stamp of the wishes of the president. A good number of MPs I chatted with on this article informed me that they face pressure or threats from the executive to pass legislation and agreements without scrutiny. Fear of political, personal repercussions and assassinations can lead MPs to comply with executive demand while many others obey due to their own financial gains and political interest.

The case of Sadia Yasin Samatar: Corruption, Scandal, and Bloodshed in Somali Politics

Hon Sadia Yasin made history as Somalia’s first female Deputy Speaker when she was elected in April 2022. Her appointment was seen as a groundbreaking moment for gender equality in Somali politics, and there were high hopes that she would champion women’s rights and work to empower women and marginalized communities across the country. As leader of the People’s Assembly, many expected her to advocate for policies that promote women’s issues and advance their role in Somalia’s political, economic and social spheres.

However, instead of fulfilling these expectations, Sadia soon became embroiled in the corruption and chaos that have plagued the Federal Parliament and the executive branch. Allegations of misconduct, misuse of power, and personal gain have tarnished her leadership, raising concerns about her commitment to the democratic principles and reforms she was initially believed to support.

A single mother from Minnesota with no formal education, Hon Sadia’s political ascent once seen as a beacon of progress for women in Somalia, has been marred by controversy, corruption allegations, and most shockingly, accusations of direct involvement in a violent incident that led to multiple deaths.

A Misguided Attempt to Unseat the Prime Minister

The current political situation in Somalia has raised significant concerns about the balance of power between executive branches. The constitutional role of the Prime Minister, traditionally responsible for leading the government and exercising executive powers, has been largely overshadowed by the President. This shift has effectively diminished the Prime Minister’s position, reducing him to a symbolic or marginal role, functioning more as an extension of the President’s office rather than as the head of government. The President’s consolidation of power has sparked a national debate on the erosion of constitutional checks and balances and its broader implications for governance in Somalia.

Although there is broad consensus among Somalis on the need to address President Hassan’s expanding control, it is ultimately the responsibility of the parliament to act as a check on the executive. Despite this, Hon. Sadia’s recent move to lead a motion to unseat Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre appears to be driven by personal interests rather than genuine concern for constitutional integrity. Parliament’s oversight function is supposed to ensure that the executive adheres to legal and constitutional principles, prevent the concentration of power, protect democratic processes, and ensure that government policies serve the public interest. However, Deputy Speaker Sadia’s actions have revealed a clear misunderstanding of parliamentary procedure. She initiated the motion against the Prime Minister, despite the fact that it is not the role of parliamentary leadership to do so. Instead, the leadership is tasked with receiving, assessing, and reviewing motions based on their merit before they are placed on the parliamentary agenda.

Moreover, according to available information, the President of Somalia’s Federal Government had not given his usual nod of approval, and without his backing, the motion was considered dead on arrival. In contrast to the dictates of the Provisional Federal Constitution, the President exercises significant control over both the Parliament and the executive, treating them as mere rubber stamps for his decisions. Due to Hon. Sadia’s missteps and failure to follow proper parliamentary protocol, she was subsequently barred from chairing sessions in the House until further notice.

In the joint session of both Houses held on October 21, 2024, the deputies of the Upper House had to take over the leadership in her absence, a rare and public display of reprimand. At the time, the Speaker of the House was acting as president, given President Hassan ‘s official visit in overseas, and the second deputy of the House of the People was also abroad. In a further humiliation, Hon. Sadia was prohibited from even entering the parliamentary chambers.

Corruption Allegations: Personal Gain Over National Interest

It has been alleged that Hon. Sadia sought to pressure the Prime Minister into promoting her relative from Deputy Minister of National Planning to Deputy Minister of Finance. Additionally, she demanded exclusive consultation on issues related to the fifth community (Beesha Shanaad), bypassing Minister Farah Abdiqadir, and insisted on securing lucrative government contracts for businesses tied to her in order to establish an illegitimate income stream. Reports suggest that she intends to use these illicit gains to acquire more properties in Minnesota, USA, raising further concerns about her involvement in corrupt practices. This episode is seen as part of the broader issue of political manipulation and corruption in Somalia’s federal leadership, where personal ambitions and financial interests often take precedence over national concerns. Hon. Sadia’s actions have only deepened the doubts surrounding her competence and integrity in office.

These allegations against Hon. Sadia come on top of broader accusations of corruption and financial impropriety. It has been widely reported that within just one year of being in office, Sadia, a U.S. citizen, managed to purchase significant properties, including a mansion in Minneapolis, two mansions in Garowe, Puntland, and reportedly others in Nairobi. Her sudden accumulation of wealth has raised red flags among observers, leading some to alert U.S. anti-money laundering agencies, questioning the legitimacy of her financial transactions like Former Finance Minister of Mozambique Convicted of $2B Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

The fact that Sadia has amassed such wealth, while being a single mother who was previously dependent on government assistance and has no employment history while in United States, has further fueled suspicions about the source of her funds. Many see this as an unambiguous example of the corruption that permeates Somali politics, where those in power are able to exploit their positions for personal gain. 

There is a growing possibility that Sadia, being a U.S. citizen, could be registered as a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), a designation that subjects individuals involved in public office to increased financial scrutiny due to the risk of corruption. Many have accused her of exploiting her position of power to amass wealth at the expense of Somalia’s suffering population, effectively taking the bread out of the mouths of the nation’s starving children.

These issues surrounding Hon Sadia are emblematic of the broader corruption and lack of accountability that plague Somalia’s governance. Her ability to bypass protocol, accumulate suspicious wealth, and avoid consequences for her actions illustrates the systemic failure to uphold the rule of law. As these controversies unfold, the Somali people are left to question how much longer the country can endure a system where leaders are not held accountable for their actions, and where personal gain seems to overshadow the well-being of the nation.

Amid these allegations, the broader issue of corruption within Somalia continues to plague the nation’s political and economic landscape. Sadia’s role, alongside many other politicians and President Hassan’s administration, has become emblematic of the entrenched problems of patronage, nepotism, and abuse of power that define much of the country’s governance.

The allegations against Sadia resonate with the larger narrative of corruption that continues to plague Somalia. Her potential designation as a PEP in the U.S. and her role in the financial and political abuses during Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration paint a stark picture of how power and privilege have been exploited, to the detriment of Somalia’s most vulnerable citizens. This perception is only further solidified by rumors of her close ties to President Hassan, a figure long associated with corruption, as documented by African Arguments during his first term in office. The President’s Bank: corruption allegations tarnish Somalia’s brave new world – By Jay Bahadur | African Arguments. Surprisingly his second term puts shame on his first term.

Hon. Sadia is widely seen as complicit in transgression

Hon. Sadia Yasin Samatar, the first deputy speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, has found herself at the center of a storm of allegations and controversy, with some accusing her of direct involvement in a tragic incident at Bossaso Airport in Puntland FMS. On July 13, 2022, the unauthorized landing of a flight reportedly linked to Sadia’s political influence led to clashes at the airport that claimed the lives of many people, the majority of whom were soldiers.

President Mr. Said Deni and former Puntland Federal Member State Presidents, including influential figures such as former President Mr. Abdirahman Farole, former President Mr. and Abdiweli Gaas, have publicly blamed Hon. Sadia for the incident, accusing her of disregarding the necessary protocols of the Puntland government during her visit to Bossaso. These leaders, who once held top positions in Puntland, have condemned her actions, asserting that she bears responsibility for the violence and loss of life caused by the clashes.

The former Presidents argue that Sadia’s political status and influence allowed her to bypass standard security measures, a reckless move that resulted in deadly consequences. The lack of coordination with local authorities sparked confusion and unrest, escalating tensions that tragically culminated in the deaths of 16 and injury of 9 soldiers. The accusations of protocol violation add another layer to the growing concerns about the deputy speaker’s role in Somalia’s political system.

The Bossaso Airport tragedy is just one more incident that has exacerbated public frustration. Former Puntland Presidents’ statements have intensified calls for accountability, and many are demanding that Sadia face legal consequences, both for the unauthorized actions that led to the deaths at Bossaso and for her financial dealings. The public perception of her as a figure who disregards the rule of law for personal and political benefit only deepens the mistrust between Somalia’s political elite and its citizens. The accusations from the former Puntland governors further underscore how political patronage and impunity have undermined the country’s institutions and battered trust in leadership.

In Conclusion: – A Growing Crisis of Trust in Somali Leadership

The controversy surrounding Hon. Sadia has further deepened the mistrust between Somalia’s political elite and its citizens. Her rise to power, accumulation of wealth, and involvement in the Bossaso tragedy are stark reminders of how political patronage, corruption, and impunity have undermined the country’s institutions. The Somali people are left questioning how long the country can endure a system where leaders prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the nation. As calls for accountability grow louder, Somalia’s political system stands at a crossroads. Whether figures like Hon. Sadia will face justice remains uncertain, but the growing public outcry signals a deep desire for change in a country where corruption and impunity have ruled for far too long.

Abdullahi Ahmed Nor
Email: abdulahinor231@gmail.com