(25-06-23) MOGADISHU — Former president of Galmudug, Ahmed Duale Geelle Haaf, levelled stinging criticism towards the government led by President Hassan Sheikh. In his remarks, he condemned the current administration as the “weakest” he has ever seen, in a charged statement given at the inauguration ceremony of Sultan Mohamud Sultan Duale Sultan Kahie in Mogadishu on Saturday.
Haaf, who holds a reputation as a forthright critic, took pains to distinguish his remarks as criticism rather than outright opposition. “This government has never been worse for this country and these people. I have been here for many years and I have not seen anything like it. Let’s go through the process and God will wake us up,” Haaf said.
His searing assessment was intended for the ears of the federal government’s highest echelons, he stated. He also criticised the current year as “poor,” characterising the government as fraught with myriad problems.
“This year is poor, there are many problems with the government, let’s get rid of this government first, the federal government and the regional governments, people have died in it, Somalis today are the weakest of all,” the former president stated.
Haaf further expanded on his concerns, expressing dismay at the lack of a strong, central government. “I don’t see the big government these days, let those who see it inform me. Even if I get news like this, the situation is not good.”
Identifying one of the core issues as the country’s current federal system, Haaf criticised the burgeoning autonomy of each administration. Each region is wielding power unilaterally and navigating the country’s landscape independently.
“In this way, it is better that there are only regional governments and the federal government is removed. If each region wants to govern itself, to be a self-governing region, the situation is not good.
In his closing remarks, Haaf reiterated his stance of being a critic rather than an opponent. He emphasised that his statements were meant to serve as critique and correction, underlining a deep concern for his country’s political future. “I am not an opposition, and I have never been an opposition, but this statement means criticism and correction,” concluded Ahmed Duale Geelle Haaf.
