Former president defends meeting with NISA boss Fahad Yasin

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former Somalia president has defended his recent meeting with an influential figure just days after speculations that he could be eyeing a comeback to Mogadishu administration, ending concerns about his future and commitment towards the opposition politics.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the immediate former president had held a meeting with Fahad Yasin, the director National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] on Monday in Mogadishu but details about their unprecedented meeting still remain scanty. They were alone at the reported meeting.

But in a tweet on Tuesday, Mohamud, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, insisted that his meeting with Fahad Yasin was purely a "courtesy" call and added that "there was nothing political about it" as claimed by a section of local media within the Horn of Africa nation.

"It is true that I held a meeting with Fahad Yasin but it was just a courtesy call. There was nothing political about it because no such agenda was slated by us. The media got this wrong and it is important to put records straight," said the former leader, who is also one of the top leaders of the Forum for National Political parties. 

The meeting comes at the time the federal government of Somalia is sourcing for a Prime Minister, who will be the head of government. Parliament kicked out Hassan Ali Khaire from the post of Prime Minister early this month in what is viewed as a strategy by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to hold a firm grip on government.

Since then, there have been rumours that the president could opt for an opposition figure for the post, a move that could trigger the formation of the Government of National Unity [GNU], thus paving way for proper preparations of elections. Farmajo is yet to settle for Khaire's successor despite intensive lobbying.

Being a Farmajo lieutenant, Fahad Yasin's meeting with Sheikh Mohamud didn't go unnoticed. The spy chief is considered Mr Fix it of the current administration and has often been linked to controversial government decisions hence making him unpopular amongst the Somali opposition team.

Through the Forum for National Parties [FNP] Sheikh Mohamud had previously called for the resignation of Yasin. Among others, the opposition accused him of being the link between Al-Shabaab and FGS following a report which was published by spies from the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF].

In the report which has since been dismissed by the Somali government as "fabrications", KDF claimed that NISA was responsible for leaking intelligence briefs on her operations to Al-Shabaab. The team tabled several phone call data and money payment receipts allegedly showing the link between the militants and Al-Shabaab.

"We don't want to speculate on everything. We are committed to pushing for accountability in this government but that doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't interact. We are free to meet people at will, it doesn't always have to be politics," added the former president.

Already, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has teamed up with his predecessor Sharif Sheikh Ahmed against Farmajo's administration. Early this year, the two FNP leaders agreed to field a single presidential candidate during this year's election but they have not yet settled on the name.

However, over the weekend, in a rather an unusual gesture, the FNP welcomed an agreement reached in Dhusamareb for Somalia's most preferred electoral model. This is despite the fact that regional states of Puntland and Jubaland boycotted the meeting that was attended by Farmajo.

GAROWE ONLINE