(06-09-23) MOGADISHU — Photographs showing Abdifitah Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the son of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in military attire, have provoked extensive discussions among the public and political circles in Somalia. The images, which were taken during a visit to the frontline districts of Mahaas and Adan-Yabaal on Wednesday in the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab, have led to diverging opinions on the presence of the president’s family in high-risk areas.
According to reliable sources, Abdifitah has spent some time living in Turkey where he studied and worked in a Somali remittance business. His sudden appearance in military uniform, however, has set tongues wagging for multiple reasons.
Abdifitah was seen dressed in a Somali military uniform, even though it has been confirmed that he is not a member of the armed forces. The legality and appropriateness of wearing a military uniform without official enlistment have been questioned. Experts in military law indicate that the act of wearing a military uniform without being a service member could be controversial, although the specific legal ramifications in Somalia are yet to be fully explored.
While the president has been previously accused of nepotism—most notably when he appointed his daughter Jihaan Hassan Sheikh as his advisor for foreign affairs—some argue that Abdifitah’s presence on the frontline represents family commitment to the nation’s most critical issues. Supporters point out that President Mohamud could have sent his family to safer countries but chose to keep them close, and involved in the challenges the country is facing.
Ahmed Kabole, a security expert, voiced his reservations about the situation to the BBC: “The protection of a president is a specialised task that should only be carried out by trained personnel.” There are concerns that Abdifitah’s involvement, without military training, may pose a security risk, particularly in a region where the President’s safety could be compromised.
Public opinion remains sharply divided on the matter. Some laud the family’s courage and unity in the face of a national crisis, while others are sceptical, raising concerns about nepotism, governance, and transparency.
As the fight against Al-Shabaab continues, the complex interplay of family involvement in national issues against the backdrop of an ongoing war poses both ethical and practical questions, leaving the nation pondering what this could mean for the future of Somalia.
Halqabsi News
