SOMALIA IS LED BY A ROGUE GOVERNMENT BANKROLLED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: Somaliland is gone, Puntland is considering confederation, and Jubbaland is weighing its options

Hassan Keynan


This video features two former presidents. Sheikh Sharif (2009-2012) was the one who appointed the current President as prime minister in 2010. Hassan Sh. Mohamud (2012-2017) was the one who handed power over to the current President in February 2017.


The two former presidents spoke about dark clouds of strife and conflict closing in on Somalia. They pointed to a series of unconstitutional and egregious transgressions committed by the top leadership of the Federal Government. They warned about serious and potentially calamitous consequences that could hit the country if Villa Somalia’ s dangerous dispositions and reckless actions are not confronted with utmost urgency.
Below is a summary of the key points underlined by the two former presidents,
1. The international community seems on course to wreck the hard-won and fragile peace in Somalia mainly because of its unconditional support for the divisive and reckless policies of the Somali President.
2. The Federal Government and its top leadership have for all intent and purpose suspended the constitution  and basically set up a shadow government and para military forces that operate outside the constitution and constitutionally mandated institutions. In short, President Farmaajo is leading a rogue government.
3. Our country has been deeply divided. We were concerned about the issue of Somaliland and we have been struggling to resolve this matter peacefully. However, President Farmaajo is on course to force Puntland and Jubaland to consider either confederation or even secession.
4. The level of oppression and tyranny perpetrated by President Farmaajo has become intolerable and must be resisted. ‘We can no longer remain silent,’ lamented Sheikh Sharif.
5. Members of the Council of Ministers have been reduced  to obedient and loyal servants of the President and have completely abandoned their constitutional responsibilities. None could even raise a finger or a voice about the egregious assaults on the Constitution and the unity and sovereignty of the country committed by Villa Somalia and its political hacks frequently and shamelessly.
6. Villa Somalia is denying Somalis their basic rights a and freedoms and this reckless behavior could drive some Somalis to seek alliance with external actors. This is a very dangerous development. And we must not remain silent about this grave matter.
I have never been a fan of Sheikh Sharif and Hassan Sheikh. Much of the tragedy blighting Somalia presently could be linked to mistakes and serious errors of judgment they made when they were in power. However, today they stood up and stood their ground passionately and courageously. The words spoken by the two former presidents display certain qualities attributed to statesmen. Every Somali must hear the alarm bells and the clarion call sounded by the two leaders.
The International Community has spectacularly failed in Somalia and betrayed the Somali people frequently and shamelessly. Informed and patriotic Somalis must not waste time appealing to the accursed and malignly incompetent UN and the IC.
May God save and bless beautiful Somalia.

Prof. Hassan Keynan is a retired senior UN official who worked in South Asia, Africa and Europe
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