By Mohamed A Yasin

In a country facing enormous security challenges, every government voice must carry weight, substance, and strategic clarity. Sadly, Foreign Minister Ahmed Ma’allin Fiqi’s latest statements exemplify just how far certain officials have drifted from their mandates — and just how dangerously unqualified they are to speak on matters outside their portfolios.

At a recent event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mogadishu, Minister Fiqi made bold declarations that Al-Shabaab is no longer a threat to Mogadishu, dismissing the very idea as “far from reality.” The irony is striking: not only is this assertion premature and disconnected from the facts on the ground, but it also comes from someone whose role has nothing to do with national security, internal affairs, or defense. Somalia has ministries for that — and experts who are better placed to assess and address such grave matters.

Fiqi is the Foreign Minister, tasked with diplomacy, international representation, and bilateral or multilateral engagements. But more often than not, he has turned his role into a soapbox for outlandish political commentary, military conjecture, and even internal political spin. The subject of whether Al-Shabaab poses a threat to Mogadishu is not only beyond his job description — it’s a matter of national and regional security that requires careful, classified assessments.

Even more baffling is the contradiction woven into his own rhetoric. The minister lauds the bravery of the Somali armed forces — rightly so — yet, in the same breath, he mocks the idea that Al-Shabaab could ever pose a risk to the capital. This flies in the face of reality: the group continues to control large swaths of the countryside, encircle federal states like Southwest and Jubaland, and has proven capable of launching devastating attacks even within secured zones.

To suggest otherwise, especially from the comfort of a well-guarded podium in Mogadishu, is not just naïve — it’s dangerously misleading.

A Ministry Hijacked?

Behind the scenes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not even under Minister Fiqi’s effective control. Insiders know that State Minister Ali Balcad and Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — daughter of the president — are the real power brokers. Minister Fiqi appears to be more of a political mouthpiece than a strategic operator. His erratic comments and frequent self-contradictions have made him more of a liability than an asset on Somalia’s diplomatic front.

This is not the first time Fiqi has ventured into areas far outside his portfolio. He has offered unsolicited commentary on security operations, presidential affairs, constitutional debates, and even federalism — despite clear constitutional boundaries between ministries. What Somalia needs from its foreign ministry is serious diplomacy: focused efforts on peace agreements, foreign investments, international advocacy for reconstruction, and global cooperation against terrorism. Not unverified claims and political theatre.

False Confidence in a Volatile Reality

Minister Fiqi’s assertion that the Somali public now believes Al-Shabaab is finished and that the group cannot possibly retake Mogadishu is particularly reckless. It reeks of either delusion or dangerous political choreography meant to assure international donors that everything is under control. It’s not.

Just ask the people of Hiiraan, Gedo, and Lower Shabelle — regions where government control is patchy and Al-Shabaab movements remain largely unchecked. Ask the internally displaced people who fled the group’s territorial advances. Or the business owners paying extortion money for protection. Or the soldiers operating in the bush with limited supplies and support.

There’s no denying the Somali Armed Forces have made courageous gains, and the support from local communities is rising. But dismissing the possibility of a security reversal is historically ignorant. The fall of capitals in conflict zones often happens not from strength, but from complacency — the very complacency Fiqi is encouraging with his triumphalist tone.

A Dangerous Distraction

When a foreign minister veers off script to speculate about insurgent capacities, he doesn’t just breach protocol. He feeds misinformation, disrespects security institutions, and misleads the public. This is not only unprofessional — it’s hazardous.

Instead of commenting on battlefield morale or enemy psychology, Fiqi would do well to focus on improving Somalia’s foreign image, building diplomatic bridges, and helping secure international partnerships that can aid the country’s fragile recovery.

The Somali people deserve better than a minister who thrives on noise over nuance, visibility over validity, and political posturing over actual performance.

The Stakes Are Too High

In a nation where federal states like Jubaland, and Puntland continue to wrestle with federal overreach, and where the threat of Al-Shabaab remains a clear and present danger, Somalia cannot afford voices of false bravado or bureaucratic misadventures.

Let the security experts do the talking about the war. Let the foreign ministry get back to diplomacy. And let truth — not political spin — guide our national narrative.

Mohamed A Yasin
Email: moyasin680@gmail.com
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