Appointment of Somalia’s Ambassador and First Secretary to U.S. Sparks Questions

Dahir Hassan Arab, the ambassador [L] and Mohamed Muse the first secretary of Somali embassy in Washington DC.

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The mid-2024 appointment of Dahir Hassan Arab as Somalia’s Ambassador to the United States has drawn criticism, with allegations of nepotism and corruption surrounding the decision. Arab, formerly the head of SIMAD University, was appointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud despite having no prior experience in diplomacy and governance, particularly in foreign affairs. He holds a Master’s degree in Education Management from Uganda’s Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

Simultaneously, Mohamed Muse, the former head of SIMAD ILAB, was appointed as the First Secretary at the Somali embassy in Washington. Muse’s appointment has also raised concerns, as he previously earned his Master’s degree in Japan during President Hassan’s first term, prompting questions about his qualifications for a diplomatic role.

At the inauguration of SIMAD University’s new campus, former Minister of Planning, Abdirahman Yusuf Aynte, publicly acknowledged that he was the one who facilitated an education scholarship for Mohamed Muse, further highlighting the close connection between SIMAD University and the Somali government. These appointments have fueled concerns that President Hassan Sheikh is using state power to benefit individuals linked to SIMAD University.

Criticism over these appointments intensified when members of Somalia’s Upper House recently questioned Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Lawmakers accused Fiqi of illegally appointing 17 individuals as senior advisers to Somali embassies around the world, none of whom had prior diplomatic experience or had worked within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The senior advisers were reportedly sent to Somali embassies in key countries such as Turkey, the United States, Uganda, Kuwait, Syria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Italy, sparking further scrutiny over how diplomatic positions are being filled under the current administration.

GAROWE ONLINE