Somalia: After diplomatic blunders, Fiqi Shifted to Defence

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The mini-cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre may not carry huge significance to the nation, but it could prove both strategic and important, given the recent diplomatic blunders within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the centre of this is Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has been serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a troubled tenure that witnessed a host of diplomatic chaos, including but not limited to quarrels with the African Union.

Fiqi now moves to the Ministry of Defence, which coordinates the fight against Al-Shabaab and must closely work with the international partners as Somalia seeks to regain lost ground in the war against Al-Shabaab.

A few weeks ago, Moalim Fiqi was at loggerheads with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) deputy boss Sivuyile Bam, whom he accused of legitimising the al-Shabaab, leading to the diplomatic tiff.

While declaring him persona non grata, Fiqi maintained that during the UN Security Council briefing, Bam reportedly told the council that Al-Shabaab was seeking political legitimacy in Somalia owing to reduced targeted attacks on civilians.

“He has shown himself to be a supporter of Al-Shabaab and an obstacle to Somalia’s progress,” Fiqi said.

And in his anticipated reshuffle, Hamza Abdi Barre shifted Fiqi to the Ministry of Defence, replacing the rather quiet Jibril Abdirashid Haji, who now becomes the Deputy Prime Minister. Abdisalam Ali Dhaay becomes the foreign affairs boss.

The unprecedented exclusion of Bam ignited a political rift within the country, threatening its diplomatic missions, given the support given by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is undergoing transition.

But Fiqi now moves to the Defence Ministry at a time Somalia is fighting Al-shabaab militants following a litany of terrorism attacks within the country, including suspicions that the militants may have infiltrated the military after all, given some unique incidents.

The Al-Shabaab have also managed to take over the strategic Adan Yabaal town within Middle Shabelle, dealing the military a huge blow. Fiqi's immediate task would be assisting the military and allies to reclaim some of the towns overrun by the militants.

Fiqi, who served previously as Interior Minister at the Federal level and Internal Security Minister in Galmudug state, is expected to inject more energy and morale in the defence arena as the Somali National Army re-strategises to jumpstart the war against Al-Shabaab.

The bold resurgence of the al-Shabaab militants has raised concerns about the mental and physical strength of the Somali National Army, which is also to take security responsibilities from the foreign troops. The government declared total war against al-Shabaab militants two years ago.

GAROWE ONLINE