PRESIDENT HASSAN SHEIKH DEFENDS HIS OPEN TRIBALISM AND NEPOTISM AS HE DENIES AMBASSADORIAL AND MILITARY POSITIONS TO DIGIL MIRIFLE

President Hassan Sheikh last week finally defended his open tribalism and nepotism in appointments and favoritism by calling it ‘Anagaa Xalka Somaliya u Heyno’.

Speaking when he swore-in a fellow old friends and tribesmen to Police Commissioner and Intelligence Chief, Hassan Sheikh said that “Somali transitioned from tribalism to nationalism” while he employs only his tribesmen at Villa Somalia.  See the picture bellow.  These 3 men are all from one single clan ‘Hawiye’.  Does this look transition from tribalism to nationalism as Hassan Sheikh claims it.  Somalis especially Digil Mirifle communities have been fooled before and Hassan Sheikh cannot and will not fool them twice or again.

 “I can appointment anyone to any position, I know what is good for reer Baydhabo, and I mean Digil Mirifle. It is my job to positions to whoever I like”, said President Hassan.

In the usual disjointed statement, Hassan Sheikh tells Somalis that the era of tribalism has ended under his leadership while he recently nominated UK ambassador to his relative from Hawiye clan.  This happens when he replaced the only Digil Mirifle armed force general. 

Yesterday, Digil Mirifle and Dir MPs met in order to join forces against Hassan Sheikh.  They are demanding that the President and Prime Minister Saacid to govern justly and equally (no to tribalism and favoritism).  They are demanding the President to reshuffle his staff at Villa Somalia and Prime Minister’s office.  Somalis of every tribe are now protesting against Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Saacid.  They “NEED NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NOT A CLAN LEADER: XASSAN SHEIKH HAS TO GO. HE LOST THE CONFIDENCE TO LEAD SOMALIA. HE SHOULD APPLY XAAD'S JOB, TRADITIONAL HAWIYE LEADER, NOT A NATIONAL PRESIDENT. SOMALIS DEMAND LIST OF ALL THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN VILLA SOMALIA.”

Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Saacid’s corruption and abuses of power is now fuelling grievances among Somalia’s diverse population. Periodic ethnic disputes—notably the widespread dissatisfaction could lead civil unrest that followed after the ousting of Siyad Barre.   Impunity for state tribalism, corruption and political exclusion remains a major challenge that threatens to undermine Somalia’s recent stability.