Fahad's final bow: How NISA changes signals a crisis in the making for Somalia's next government

MOGADISHU, Somalia | The April military battle involving loyal troops and those supporting opposition over President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's term extension may have fundamentally affected spy chief Fahad Yasin's bargaining power after years of firm grip at the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA].

Before the unfortunate events that were triggered by Farmajo's plot to cling to power, Yasin, a former Al-Jazeera journalist, controlled security agencies, even using them to attack political challengers, including waging night raids in residences of former presidents.

However, the victory by anti-establishment troops caused significant political ramifications, including forcing the embattled President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to reverse term extension plans, subsequently allowing smooth dialogue that Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble brokered.

Also affected in the mixup were Farmajo's allies, who were forced to devise a defense strategy as political forces coalesced aggressively against him. These defensive maneuvers, now epicenter at NISA, and the upcoming leadership changes portend a crisis in the making for Somalia’s forthcoming administration.

Topical questions that would emerge in the planned changes include the future or the controversial individuals often mentioned in NISA clandestine activities, which are centered around criminal executions and extrajudicial killings over the last four years and the end of those who might be elected to Parliament.

Multiple sources privy to the behind-the-scenes activities in government hinted that Fahad Yasin, the NISA Director-General, will quit the agency in coming days, and subsequently, handover to his protégé Abbas Yakub Hassan, the man in charge of information technology at NISA.

Abbas, who schooled in Pakistan, taking computer engineering has in recent years become a close confidante of Fahad Yassin. He's the senior-most leader in the ranks, and a close student of Fahad Yasin, one of the most controversial NISA directors in the history of Somalia.

Exclusive reports in possession of Garowe Online reveal that Fahad Yasin orchestrates his coronation as a Member of the Somali lower house and is vying for a seat now occupied by Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, a key figure the administration of former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Fahad Yasin's deep networks

While Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir has previously served as a mentor to Fahad, the latter has built a deep support network within his sub-clan and within the governance and security apparatus, infiltrating his sympathizers in crucial positions of power.

For instance, in Hirshabelle, where Fahad Yassin plans to compete for the parliamentary seat, the region’s president has given Fahad Yassin almost total control in selecting the electoral committee. This committee had in recent months faced opposition from the opposition.

Over the past few years, Fahad Yassin has also built various platforms to bolster his image and interests. For example, alongside Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, Fahad Yassin is the co-owner of HornConnect, a cable provider in Mogadishu.

He has also ventured into business by helping found a new bank in Mogadishu by the name of My Bank.

This means that his tentacles now extend from politics and media to the financial world. According to insiders, My Bank will be a key conduit to move money during the upcoming elections. He also has strong ties to Qatar, and a country believed to be having a growing influence within the current administration.

But Qatar, in various correspondences, has often rejected claims of close association with the current administration. It's believed that Qatar equips security forces who are responsible for attacking critics, claims which Doha has often refuted.

Last month, Qatar played a significant role in pushing to restore diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia, which had deteriorated over time. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad dispatched his special envoy Mutlaq Alqahtani to both countries before an announcement was made.

NISA agents in next parliament

It's not just the anticipated presence of Fahad Yasin in the upcoming parliament that should worry Somalis. In total, Garowe Online has established that at least 16 senior NISA agents will be in Parliament, a strategy devised to boost Farmajo's secret agendas.

Abdullahi Kulane, NISA’s current deputy director, will also leave the agency to compete for a parliamentary seat. Because the agency has been embroiled in some of the most egregious crimes in Somalia over the past 4-years, the parliament is being seen as a sanctuary to escape accountability.

All of this will pose challenges to the upcoming administration. Because of the public expectation to bring individuals engaged in extrajudicial acts over the past 4-years to justice, the pressure to expel specific individuals from the parliament will continue to gather steam.

As they strategized to make a comeback through parliament, some of their agents were planted in the electoral committee, which is set to hold upcoming elections within two months. Even though at least 34 of 67 individuals have been released, opposition figures insist that the committee's membership is still dubious.

"We commend the Somali army and police chiefs for implementing the election agreement by not interfering in politics and elections," said Abdishakur Warsame, the leader of the Wadajir party. "However, the intelligence chief is still meddling in the vetting process of elections committees. There are still members of NISA in these committees."

Other senior NISA agents expected to run for parliamentary elections include Liban Kadiye, Mohamed Ise, Yasin Mohamed, Mukhtar Mohamed, Farah Abdi, Mohamed Abdullahi, Abdilatif Abdullahi, Abdulkadir Muhidin, Abdullahi Abdirahman, Abdi Wahab, Ahmed Ali, Haji Aweys, Ismael Isaak, and Asmo Yussuf.

The country is expected to hold elections within the next two months based on the most recent agreement, which most stakeholders signed. The opposition still wants to know the criteria used to leave some 33 individuals in the elections committee despite their "suspicious" record.

GAROWE ONLINE