Fahad Yasin accuses Somali opposition of double standards

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Monday December 2, 2024

FILE - Fahad Yasin, former head of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and a controversial figure in Somali politics.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin has delivered a blistering critique of the country's opposition, accusing its leaders of focusing on obstruction.

In his remarks, delivered via a statement shared widely online, Yasin targeted the opposition's perceived lack of vision. "Opposition should not simply be about standing against everything," he wrote. "It is disappointing to see arguments not rooted in ideas or strategies."

Central to his critique was what Yasin described as a glaring double standard. He contrasted the treatment of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud—criticized for pushing through a contested constitution and overseeing elections without consensus—with that of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, who, he argued, has committed greater political transgressions. "How is it acceptable to praise Ahmed Madobe, whose administration has failed to conduct transparent, fair elections and has even altered the Jubaland constitution to extend his rule?" Yasin questioned.

Beyond the specific criticisms, Yasin's statement echoed frustration with Somalia's political culture. He noted the tendency of opposition groups to support regional administrations when they flout the law while condemning the federal government for similar actions. This inconsistency, Yasin argued, not only erodes political credibility but also deepens the country's divisions.

The embattled former spy chief earlier called on Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to take a direct role in addressing the political crisis unfolding in Jubaland.

"The current approach risks setting dangerous precedents and further destabilizing Somalia's already fragile political landscape," he warned. "President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud knows the pain of principled opposition too well—he is now a victim of the same rhetoric he once wielded."

Fahad Yasin, a former journalist with Al Jazeera, has been a polarizing figure in Somali politics. As the head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) under President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, Yasin faced allegations of politicizing the agency and suppressing dissent. His tenure was marred by controversies, including the unresolved disappearance of NISA officer Ikran Tahlil, which led to public outcry and intensified scrutiny of his leadership. In February 2022, Yasin was elected to Somalia's parliament. However, the Federal Election Implementation Team annulled his victory due to alleged irregularities, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court, preventing him from assuming the seat. In September 2024, Yasin announced the end of his decade-long political alliance with former President Farmaajo, signalling a significant shift in Somalia's political dynamics.

Yasin's statement comes as the federal government grapples with criticism over constitutional reforms and electoral processes, and regional administrations, including Jubaland, face growing scrutiny for alleged undemocratic practices.

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