By Abdiqani Haji Abdi

In the heart of Mogadishu, where the ruins of past conflicts stand as solemn reminders, a new storm is brewing—one not of war, but of unchecked power and silent betrayals. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, once seen as a beacon of hope, has turned his tenure into a reign of political suppression, corruption, and mismanagement. As Somalia drifts further into crisis, the international community watches in silence, raising uncomfortable questions about its true motives.

For years, billions of dollars have poured into Somalia, aimed at rebuilding a nation scarred by decades of turmoil. Yet, as institutions crumble under the weight of corruption, and as opposition voices are silenced, the elite and the masses alike find themselves asking—has the world abandoned Somalia, or is there a deeper agenda at play?

A Presidency of Power and Greed

When Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned to power, there was cautious optimism. But it did not take long before his administration revealed its true face. The independent commissions that once provided oversight were swiftly dismantled. The Provisional Federal Constitution, a fragile yet vital blueprint for governance, was tossed aside and replaced with a presidential system—without consultation, without consensus. Federal Member States (FMS), which had struggled to assert their autonomy within a fragile federation, suddenly found themselves at the mercy of a central government more concerned with consolidating power than governing.

One by one, institutions fell under the grip of the presidency. International aid, meant to support development across the country, was politicized. Federal states saw their funds withheld, their projects stalled, their voices drowned out by the unchecked authority of Mogadishu. Even civilian air travel became a weapon, with flights to regions like Jubaland restricted, cutting off citizens already trapped by Al-Shabaab’s deadly encirclement.

The Vanishing Wealth: Somalia’s Silent Robbery

While the people of Somalia struggled, their leaders indulged in secrecy. In one of the most scandalous betrayals of Somalia’s sovereignty, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his former Minister of Petroleum, Abdirazaq Omar Mohamed (who also happens to be his uncle), secretly collected a $60 million signing bonus from a state-owned Turkish petroleum company—money that never made it into Somalia’s treasury.

Additionally, smaller oil drilling and mapping contracts were quietly granted to various companies by the president and his former Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Abdirazaq. The funds collected from these deals remain unquantifiable, yet there is little doubt that they, too, have been funneled into foreign bank accounts. The Turkey contract not only permits oil drilling but also grants Turkey rights to Somali fisheries, effectively handing over Somalia’s blue economy to foreign exploiters. How Much Was Exchanged? No One Knows: Only Hassan Sheikh and Mr. Ahmed. the Minister of Fisheries can accurately state how much was pocketed in exchange for allowing Turkey to deplete Somalia’s marine resources.

A Military in Chains: Fighting the Wrong War

Somalia’s army, once a symbol of resilience, has been reduced to a mere political tool. Instead of battling Al-Shabaab, federal troops have been redirected to suppress opposition in Jubaland, a state that has resisted Mogadishu’s increasing authoritarianism. Meanwhile, the much-touted military offensive against Al-Shabaab crumbled, exposing a leadership more interested in photo ops than real combat strategy. Soldiers, many of whom had gone unpaid for months, faced the impossible task of fighting a war without support, while those in power enriched themselves from international security funds.

The contrast with Puntland could not be more striking. Despite receiving no federal support, President Said Abdullahi Deni has led a fierce resistance against both Al-Shabaab in Kalkaayo and ISIS in the mountains of Bari Region. Puntland’s forces, relying on their own resources and strategies, have managed to repel terrorist incursions—proving that governance, when done right, does not require empty speeches from Mogadishu.

Khat, Corruption, and Economic Collapse

Another blatant example of corruption is the trade of narcotic khat from Kenya, a business tightly controlled by the president’s inner circle. His companies impose a levy of $4 per kilogram at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, raking in millions. Despite the federal government’s ban on flights to Jubaland, khat shipments remain immune, raising further suspicions about selective enforcement.

Moreover, President Hassan has outsourced government revenue collection to firms run by his allies, introducing new taxes that have led to disinvestment exceeding $4 billion per month. The economic strain has pushed retailers to the brink of collapse, culminating in a massive protest where Mogadishu’s main market saw all shops closed in defiance. Yet, even as the nation’s economy crumbles, the so-called president remains indifferent—laughing while the people suffer.

The Silence of the International Community: A Betrayal or a sinister Plan? Somalia’s current crisis is not just a result of internal failings; it is also a product of international complacency. For nearly two decades, donor countries have funneled billions into Somalia, funding state-building efforts, governance programs, and military training. Yet today, as the country inches closer to dictatorship, those same voices that once championed democracy remain eerily silent.

Among Somalis, suspicions run deep. Some believe the international community is complicit, propping up a corrupt administration for its own strategic interests. Others whisper of a hidden agenda—a deliberate effort to fracture Somalia into mini-states that can be more easily controlled. And for the more cynical, there is a growing fear that, like Syria and Afghanistan before it, Somalia is being prepared for abandonment—to be left in the hands of Al-Shabaab once donor fatigue sets in.

The question remains—will the world stand idly by as Somalia unravels, or will it finally take a stand against corruption and authoritarianism?

Silencing Dissent: A Government That Fears Its Own People

Beyond the battlefield, Hassan Sheikh’s war extends to political opposition and civil society. In Mogadishu, opposition figures, former presidents, and traditional elders are being banned from holding public meetings. A defining moment came when Hon. Dahir Amiin Jeesow was dragged away by security forces mid-speech while speaking live in a Mogadishu hotel. His crime? Criticizing the government. Yet, the very same hotels where opposition meetings are banned host pro-government gatherings without restriction. This double standard highlights how Mogadishu has turned into an authoritarian stronghold where only Hassan Sheikh’s allies can speak freely.

Meanwhile, with all the money from oil, fisheries, and drilling contracts, not a single credible figure can publicly defend Hassan Sheikh. The only ones left backing him are Sheikh Ali Wajis and Mr. Abdillahi Ali Osoble, the former President of Hirshabelle—figures who have lost all credibility in the eyes of the public. Even among his own allies, many now whisper that Hassan Sheikh is mentally unfit for office. No sane leader would continue to ignore the overwhelming rejection of his presidency. The Fate of a Nation In Mogadishu, the walls are closing in. Opposition voices are dragged out of meetings, political gatherings are banned, and those who dare to speak against the government are branded as enemies.

Yet, beyond the walls of Mogadishu, a different Somalia is emerging. Puntland and Jubaland, having distanced themselves from the federal government, continue to forge their own path. There, governance is not dictated by the whims of a single man, but by the needs of the people. And as more Somalis grow disillusioned with Mogadishu’s failures, the idea of an independent, self-sufficient Puntland and Jubaland no longer seems far-fetched.

Somalia stands at a crossroads. On one path lies continued repression, corruption, and international betrayal. On the other, the promise of regional resilience and a fight for real democracy. The people must decide—before the choice is made for them.

Abdiqani Haji Abdi
Email: Hajiabdi0128@gmail.com

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