Criticism Mounts Over Somali President’s Leadership Style  

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Criticism is mounting on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over his style of leadership, with Jubaland accusing him of abandoning the fight against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, putting the country in a precarious state.

Hassan Sheikh, Jubaland, said in a statement, has failed both in governance and security, adding that he has anchored his leadership on "short-term" political gains instead of uniting the Horn of Africa nation.

“The salvation of this country lies in national unity and leadership that takes responsibility for Somalia’s future,” the statement read.

Jubaland now says it fully supports the Somali Salvation Forum, a team led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, which has been putting the government on check. Jubbaland said it welcomed the Forum’s decisions, describing them as crucial for steering the country away from political turmoil.

Since taking over in 2022, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has often been criticised for failing to give direction in the Al-Shabaab war with the opposition blaming him also for pushing for controversial constitutional changes.

The president wants to implement direct elections, a move which Jubaland warns would lead to unprecedented term extensions of both federal and state leaders. While the team has no issues with the model, they are, however, suspicious of the timing and capacity of the country to support the electoral process.

The opposition team, with the support of Puntland and Jubaland states, wants Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reverse what it called “illegal amendments” to Somalia’s 2012 provisional constitution, warning that the changes risk creating “conflicting legal frameworks” and plunging the nation into deeper instability.

Al-Shabaab militants seized the strategic towns of Moqokori, Adan Yabaal and Mahas, further exposing the inability of the government to defend its territories. The president is yet to respond to the allegations of maladministration.

Somalia is rushing against time to take over security responsibilities from the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) troops, with the team now expected to leave in the coming months. Hassan Sheikh maintains that the country shall use a universal suffrage model of elections.

GAROWE ONLINE