Somalia: Hirshabelle parliament crowded with ex-NISA agents

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The newly elected members of the Hirshabelle parliament had at one point worked closely with the spy agency National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], it has been established, in one of most dramatic development in Somalia's divisive internal politics

Multiple sources hinted to Garowe Online that the new MPs at one time worked with the agency, which is literally in charge of security in the country. The agency has previously been accused of targeting opposition bigwigs by tracking their movements or even blocking them from traveling across the country.

The legislators, sources said served either in NISA or the Somali National Army [SNA] but worked in the investigations department. The claims can be corroborated by the recent developments in the elections of the speaker and deputy.

For instance, deputy speaker Mahad Hassan Osman is a relative to NISA boss Fahad Yasin according to preliminary investigations done by Garowe Online. He was elected with a convincing majority with the opposition accusing Villa Somalia of interference.

The move highlights Villa Somalia's interference in the formation of a new parliament in Hirshabelle ahead of elections in Somalia. The country is set to start a hectic electioneering period in December which will culminate in presidential polls in February.

Hirshabelle state is on the verge of picking a new leader who will be at the helm for the next four years and already, they picked regional MPs who participated in the elections of the speaker on Wednesday, in a poll that was closely monitored.

For instance, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed made two trips to the region before the polls but seemingly, his preferred candidates did not win. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is keen to challenge President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in the coming months.

Abdihakim Luman, a candidate who was reportedly backed by Villa Somalia, managed to clinch the speaker's seat with a landslide. He beat his closest challenger Godir and will now serve as the regional assembly speaker for the next four years.

His first immediate task will be overseeing regional Presidential elections before supervising national senatorial polls in the coming months. Mohamed Abdi Waare, who was serving as president, resigned earlier this week, a month after his tenure ended.

The Federal Government of Somalia under the leadership of Farmajo has been keen to impose itself in all regional states. However, penetrating Jubaland and Puntland has been a tall order given the firm leadership of Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe and Said Abdullahi Deni respectively.

"Most of the electoral committee members from Hirshabelle & Galmudug are members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), with most of them handpicked by the office of the Director of the NISA. Meanwhile, the majority of the federal-level electoral commission are social media supporters of President Farmajo, handpicked by the deputy director of the office of the president. It is unacceptable that the country's future and the election of the constituents we represent are run by two boys who are cousins," Abdirahman Abdi Shakur, Wadajir political party leader tweeted. 

GAROWE ONLINE