PRESIDENT HASSAN SHEIKH: FROM DEMOCRACY TO DICTATORSHIP

President Hassan Sheikh: from Democracy to Dictatorship

BiadoaNews Editorial

Why do President Hassan’s dictatorship government establish institutions that may constrain their ministers and MPs?

Today, Speaker of Somali Federal Parliament boycotted and refused an invitation by the President Hassan for the oath ceremony for the new police commission.  Also, not present was the previous police commissioner who was suppose to be present today in order for him to hand over his duties.  This comes after 61 Digil Mirifle MPs threaten to boycott the current government and called for a motion for no confidence vote against the Somali President Hassan Sheikh.  Digil Mirifle MPs and allies threaten to unseat him after he violated the Somalia’s power-sharing agreement brokered by the United Nations.

Months after President Hassan was sworn in for four-year term, the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and the United States (US) encouraged the formation of an inclusive government and expressed support for the continuation of the United Nation’s mediation efforts. Just last week, President Hassan signed the communiqué with IGAD committing to an inclusive government. Not taking much time, President Hassan excluded many Digil Mirifle leaders from the movement.  Positions that are now excluded by Digil Mirifle people are:

• 1.    Chiefs in Police, Military, Navy, Security, Immigration, and National and Military Courts
• 2.    Governors in Central Bank
• 3.    Mayoral Office in Banadir Region
• 4.    Somali Sea Port and Airport
• 5.    Administrative positions and advisors in Villa Somalia
• 6.    Somali ambassador to United Nations
• 7.    Somali Representatives in Geneva, Islamic Bank, African Union, and many more

All the evidence suggests that President Hassan remains uncommitted to genuine power-sharing with the Digil Mirifle MPs and leaders respectively. Hassan Sheik took unilateral actions that violated many peace agreements and MOU s and more recently the power-sharing agreement. He can be expected to exploit the substantial powers he enjoys in terms of the agreement and to use other flaws in its design to minimize the compromises he must make with the Digil Mirifle leaders. That He and his tribe only will not be able to solve the mounting humanitarian, political and economic crises in Somalia and much of the Southern Somalia.  This seems not to be a major concern for President Hassan or his inner circles.

The Somali constitution requires all branches of the Federal Government not take any decisions that hurts or violates peace agreements.  Hassan Sheikh violated the Somali constitution and all other peace agreements by unilaterally appointing Police Commissioner, and other provincial governors, who are also from his tribe and other allied tribes, and by ignoring appeals from Digil Mirifle parliamentarians.