Key members of the elite of the Northeastern State of Somalia, both inside the country and within the diaspora, watch with deep trepidation the existential threat facing Somalia under the self‑serving leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud (hereafter HSM). His four‑year term, now nearing its end, has brought Somalia to the brink. His unilateral and unconstitutional amendment of the constitution to advance personal political interests—without national consensus—along with the establishment of his own political fronts to secure reelection and potentially remain president for life, all portend worse things to come. Unless his reelection is prevented, Somalia could once again face state collapse and fragmentation under his watch.
The damage President HSM is inflicting on Somalia is twofold. At the national level, he has trampled the constitution and usurped the prime minister’s executive powers. Additionally, through bribery and other corrupt practices, he has turned key state institutions into instruments serving his personal agenda.
More ominously, he has taken on the role of a warlord, deploying federal forces—meant to fight Al‑Shabaab and defend against external threats—to attack and subdue federal member states that resist his dominance. The South-West State is the latest victim, now under occupation by his forces. Somalia is, for all practical purposes, under a one‑man dictatorship, acceptable to no one except international partners who leverage financial influence over him. Rather than succumb to presidential coercion, those federal member states still unoccupied, such as Jubaland and Puntland, may follow the example of Somaliland and declare secession. This would open a Pandora’s box, potentially marking the beginning of Somalia’s disintegration.
The president also threatens Somalia’s unity in the north (formerly British Somaliland). In the struggle between the unionist clans in the Northeast—committed to remaining part of Somalia—and the separatist clan in the Northwest (Somaliland), which seeks to force all northern clans into secession, the president has consistently undermined the unionists. He excludes them from international donor funding while privileging the separatists, thereby strengthening those intent on breaking up the country. The latest example occurred this week when the Northeast State was excluded twice from donor‑funded allocations, all at the president’s behest. This is the price he pays to secure, as quid pro quo, the significant parliamentary votes controlled by the separatist clan.
As the bridge between northern and southern Somalia, the country will remain united only if the Northeastern State is treated as a genuine federal member and not merely in name, as reflected by the president’s discriminatory actions. Should his policies force the Northeastern State to yield to separatist pressure, the union would collapse. Worse still, it could trigger further fragmentation, as other clans and states follow suit. The one‑clan secession might have ended long ago had President HSM devoted equal energy to supporting unionists rather than undermining them. Outsiders may well conclude that Somalia, under his leadership, is its own worst enemy.
This week, the president was finally compelled to temper his authoritarian approach, making a token gesture toward critics calling themselves the “Consultative Group.” He invited them to a dialogue on 10 May. Since all members belong to his own clan, excluding the rest of Somalia, this gesture will be widely viewed as a cosmetic tactic meant merely to blunt opposition.
In light of the above, we make the following calls:
• We support all those calling for fundamental leadership change to save Somalia and preserve its unity.
• Free and transparent elections must be held for both MPs and the presidency, preferably under UN auspices.
• International donors must ensure equitable, non‑discriminatory distribution of funds across all Somali states.
• Donors who tolerate or enable discriminatory disbursement of aid should be considered complicit and held accountable for the consequences.
• We urge the people of the Northeastern State to persevere and never yield to President HSM’s treacherous actions, relying—as in the past—on themselves until Somalia gains the leadership it deserves.
• Rather than advancing HSM’s political agenda, the Northeastern State should prioritize the aspirations of its own people, ensuring all SSC clan territories are under its authority and that its governance extends across its full territory.
• We call on the Northeastern diaspora to once again support their people and sustain them during this critical period.
Statement issued by:
1. Bashr (Jamal) Haji Ali, Former presidential candidate of the FGS & former MP of SSC‑Khaatumo
2. Dr. Mohamed Abdi (Shiine), Former Vice President of SSC‑Khaatumo
3. Ambassador Abdihakim Haji Abdullahi Haji Omar Amay, Former Vice President of Puntland
4. Mohamud Yusuf Hassan (Guray), Former minister of SSC‑Khaatumo
5. Sh. Osman (Dhagacadde), Former minister of SSC‑Khaatumo
6. Abdulrazak Mohamed (Sanwayne)
7. Dr. Abdullahi Hassan (Spanish)
8. Osman Hassan (Badawi), Retired UN official
9. Ali Haji Egeh
10. Mohamed Suleiman Bootaan
11. Mohamoud Ibrahim
12. Engineer Mohamed Ali Mire
13. Mohamed Omar Egal (Tacabbir)
14. Osman Haji Yusuf
15. Osman Abdi Yusuf
16. Egal Hassan Jama
17. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan
18. Prof. Mohamoud Ali Jama
19. Abdulrazak Ibrahim (Ataash)