At a time when Somalia is locked in a critical fight against Al-Shabaab, the actions of its senior officials paint a picture of contradiction and misplaced priorities. While President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been actively visiting war zones, meeting with national army commanders, local militias, youth, traditional elders, and community leaders, the rest of his government seems to be engaged in an entirely different mission—religious tourism.
Last week, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, called an emergency Cabinet meeting, declaring his ministers would visit Lower Shabelle, where Al-Shabaab has captured key strategic towns, including Aw Dheegle, Barire, and Sabiid. These towns, home to vital bridges and key transport routes, play a crucial role in the defense of Mogadishu. However, logistical and security concerns prevented the trip, exposing a stark reality: Somalia does not have a War Cabinet. Instead, the burden of leadership appears to rest solely on the President, who has become not just the Commander-in-Chief but also the de facto Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Security Chief, and even Financial Overseer.
The hypocrisy deepens when examining the conduct of key government officials. Senior figures entrusted with shaping Somalia’s war strategy—including Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Minister of Defense Jibriil Abdirshiid, and Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag—have all traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, abandoning their wartime responsibilities. These are the very individuals responsible for military coordination, logistical support, and stabilization efforts in liberated areas. Instead of standing by their troops, they chose pilgrimage over duty.
Adding to the exodus, the Minister of Islamic Affairs Mukhtaar Robow Ali—one of the most experienced figures in counterterrorism—the former Minister of Defense, now Minister of Ports Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who flew from Saudi Arabia to Turkiye early Thursday to join the President and other key ministers in charge of Agriculture, Livestock, Blue Economy, and Climate Change, has since left the country for Umrah. Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Minister of Planning, and the Minister of Women are also abroad on unrelated trips. This level of government absenteeism in a time of war is beyond negligence—it is a national disgrace.
The mass departures are not limited to ministers. Immigration and aviation sources confirm that in the past few days alone, over 120 MPs have left for Nairobi, while more than 50 have traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. This means over a third of the 275-member House of the People is currently absent. While the country is supposed to be debating war strategies and policies to defeat Al-Shabaab, its ministers and lawmakers are either in prayer or in luxury hotels abroad.
The contradictions between the government’s rhetoric and its actions could not be more evident. The President and Prime Minister have repeatedly declared that Somalia is in a state of war and that all national efforts must focus on defeating Al-Shabaab. However, their own Cabinet’s behavior tells a different story—one of disengagement and misplaced priorities.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab continues to hold significant territories, launch deadly attacks, and threaten the stability of Somalia, as international partners question the government’s commitment to leading the fight.
Somalia faces an existential crisis. The question every Somali citizen must ask is this: Does the country need a war government that is fully committed to fighting and winning, or a government that prioritizes tourism and pilgrimage at the expense of national security? Religious worship is a personal matter, but abandoning the responsibilities of leadership during a critical time of war is an unforgivable betrayal of the country and its people. In war, leadership is not just about words—it is about actions, and right now, Somalia’s leadership appears to be anywhere but where it is needed most.