EDITORIAL: A Government of Demagogues: How Demagogic Politics Threaten Somalia’s Unity

EDITORIAL - Three years and six months into his four-year mandate, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has failed to advance the real priorities that matter to the Somali people — defeating Al-Shabaab, upholding a fair and functional federal system, and healing the divisions among communities so peace and stability can finally take root.

Instead, his administration has come to symbolise demagoguery, corruption, polarisation, and the politicisation of security, humanitarian aid, and development projects.

Rather than striving to unify the Somali people around a shared vision, President HSM and his close circle have perfected a style of rule that thrives on manipulation, fear, and favoritism — even unilaterally changing the Federal Republic of Somalia Provisional Constitution, 2012.

The actions of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) have renewed inter-clan tensions and weaponised federal institutions, including the security forces, to intimidate the Federal Member States. The government has silenced parliamentarians and journalists and punished citizens who dare to hold a different political view.

The federal institutions — the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament — have been systematically weakened. Ethical leadership has been replaced with opportunism.

The federal system has been undermined by centralised control. And the moral foundation of governance has dimmed, where loyalty is traded for privilege, and public trust becomes the first casualty.

Public confidence in the FGS has collapsed.

National resources and public funds are being shamelessly squandered on personal enrichment and political patronage rather than invested in the country’s recovery and stability.

The recent appointment by Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre of Mrs. Maryan Ali Abuukar as Deputy Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights — a co-wife of Senator Iftin Basto of Jubaland — exemplifies how public office has become an instrument for family networks and political favour, rather than a duty to serve the public good.

President Hassan Sheikh has revealed himself to be a leader who places personal ambition above national interest. This is a path that endangers not only Somalia’s unity, but also the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa.

Somalia deserves better.

It deserves a government anchored in accountability, justice, and service to the people — not one driven by demagogues seeking power without purpose.

The true test of leadership lies not in speeches or slogans, but in the courage to unite a divided nation, to restore faith in government, to defeat Al-Shabaab, and to build a Somalia where dignity and hope replace despair and fear.

GAROWE ONLINE EDITORIAL