Farmaajos presidency doomed

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

FARMAAJO’S PRESIDENCY DOOMED?

July 28, 2018

 

Guled Hagi Hersi 

Barely 18 rocky months into his four-year term, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s presidency is all but doomed. And it is largely due to a self-inflicted damage emanating from his catastrophic performance in virtually all facets of governance, including security, economy, reconciliation, institution-building and foreign policy.

Beyond the façade that Farmaajo’s pay-per-post social media battalion regurgitate on Facebook and Twitter, the facts on the ground depict an administration ravaged by corruption, paranoia and low self-esteem. This article will assess each of the key governance metrics, using publicly available information.

President Farmaajo

Security

On security, Farmaajo is in the middle of fundamentally transforming the security of apparatus of the country. He has created two, illegal institutions known as “Xasilinta” (stabilization) and “People’s Defense Forces” (PDF). In addition to being parallel entities to the police and military, respectively, the militias report directly to him and PM Hassan Ali Khaire. Their greatest achievement thus far has been killing bodyguards of opposition politicians, intimidating rivals and the virtual blockade of Mogadishu, leading pregnant mothers to give birth on streets and bringing the city’s economy to its knees. They failed to stop suicide bombings.

By creating his own militia, Farmaajo has deliberately weakened the legal security agencies. The intelligence agency (NISA) is in chaos after two deputies were removed unceremoniously, and their offices ransacked by Farmaajo’s militia. Today, NISA is effectively run by two relatives of Farmaajo. Zakaria Ismail Hersi, the former Al Shabaab spy chief and Abdullahi Aden Kulane, a substitute teacher from Minnesota.

No wonder, then, that Farmaajo’s reign has been the bloodiest for Mogadishu residents. In addition to the October 14 truck bomb, which killed over 600 people, the city has seen a spade of assassinations which peaked in Ramadan. Most killings were gruesomely captured on videos.  Many people, including western agencies, are beginning to wonder whether these were inside jobs.

Economy

A key measure of economic activity is the prevalence of supply and demand which instigates vibrancy of the markets. Farmaajo’s administration has turned Mogadishu into a ghost town by closing virtually all major arteries. They even blocked neighborhood alleyways on security grounds. However, Farmaajo’s real objective is to put Mogadishu businesspeople out of commission, for they have been a strong and often influential lobby group. Farmaajo’s contempt for Mogadishu businesspeople has a long history, as reflected in his 2009 master’s thesis. He hopes to destroy their livelihoods so that they become supplicants of his administration.

Having outlived innumerable calamities, Mogadishu’s resilient residents appear to be waking up to Farmaajo’s nefarious agenda. That feeling was succinctly and humorously expressed last week by the former Benadir Mayor, Adde Gabow.

Reconciliation 

President Ahmed Madoobe of Jubbaland

One of the most important tasks for any Somali government is to advance the cause of reconciliation—both political and societal. Farmaajo’s administration has exasperated tribal conflicts all across the country, including in Tukarraq. In Jubbaland, he is fanning internecine conflicts to undermine President Ahmed Madoobe, and to advance long-term tribal goals. Over the past year, Farmaajo has been heavily arming tribal militias in the Gedo region in an attempt to destabilize Jubbaland. However, that only strengthened Madoobe’s base across Somalia and beyond. That’s why Farmaajo’s honeymoon inKenya is over, thanks to successful lobbying by Jubbaland leaders and community. Nairobi views Farmaajo as a spoiler intent on dismantling Jubbaland and destabilizing its NFD regions.

In Galmudug, Farmaajo is also fanning internal conflicts with one objective: to weaken the dominant tribe there all the while strengthening his and the PM’s tribe who have now forged an unlikely alliance.

Institution-building and good governance

Perhaps the most glaring failure of the Farmaajo administration is how he’s slowly but surely destroying state institutions by placing juvenile loyalists in key departments. Take the Supreme Court for a good example. Even Mercy Corps, to which the current Chief Justice used to work for as an inventory officer, was gobsmacked by the unusual appointment. However, that pales in comparison to the new Defense Minister. Fittingly known as “Amar Alle”, the 30-something-old minister is, effectively, illiterate. His only experience in life was selling used clothes in South Sudan. It’s so bad out in the “Nabad & Nolol” camp that even the flamboyant Abdulaziz “Xildhibaan”—the former spokesman of the security ministry, resigned from what he described as a “Facebook outfit” in a recent post. (Though he left his ‘unpaid’ job, he’s still carrying the five smart phones he loves to show off as part of his self-aggrandizing posture).

On the good governance barometer, Farmaajo is exhibit A for corruption and nepotism. As unearthed by the highly respected journalist, Harun Maruf in a recent investigative program, the administration doled out $5,000 in cold cash to their loyalist MPs in Ramadan, as a reward for ousting Jawaari and installing a poodle named Mohamed Mursal. It’s also well documented that both the “Xasilinta” and “PDF” militia are cash cows for Farmaajo, Khaire, Fahad and their underlings. Take the PDF for example. It’s constituted and ran by Abduqadir Baqdaadi, an MP and former religious affairs minister. He has neither the required training nor the experience to dabble in military affairs. Yet he’s leading this project because his father is Farmaajo’s sheikh, and he happens to hail from a tiny subclan in Somalia’s complex tribal system—two qualities that appeal to the low-esteemed Farmaajo and Khaire.

But the worst example of largesse is Somali Airlines. The national carrier is expected to be reconstituted under the leadership of Siyad Mohamud Shire, another henchman of Fahad. Not only is it economically unwise for the government to be in private business, but it is often a window of eternal cash for corrupt leaders.

Foreign Policy

[Yunis]

51 minutes ago, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

In Jubbaland, he is fanning internecine conflicts to undermine President Ahmed Madoobe, and to advance long-term tribal goals. Over the past year, Farmaajo has been heavily arming tribal militias in the Gedo region in an attempt to destabilize Jubbaland

I stopped reading after this paragraph. Being critical of Farmaajo and his admin is fine, but advocating that Kukuyu warlord held up in a 6 miles squire in Kismaayu for 6 years is a pure hoax.

 

Let me guess - you got this farce of an article from wardheernews? forget being objective, the author can't even conceal his kin from his own thoughts. 

[Dalmar1]

Farmaajo is a failure beyond believe, all hopes and expectation people had for him have been totally wasted.

Since his election almost 2 years ago, he (farmaajo) and his stooge kheire have been only working for ways to destabilise Mogadishu, Jubaland, Hiirshabelle and Galmudug all in the name of benefiting their minority clans, farmaajo has turned from a fake nationalist into a outright corrupt clannist, the man has barely almost 2 years left in his term, yet acs like a dictator with unlimited term does he not worry about the consequences and backlash he and his people will face after his departure from the very people he is attacking.

Farmaajo is and will always be the great lesson people of Mogadishu have learned, and that is never to trust an outsider, no matter how nationalist he appears outwards.

[Che -Guevara]

8 hours ago, Dalmar1 said:

 

Farmaajo is and will always be the great lesson people of Mogadishu have learned, and that is never to trust an outsider, no matter how nationalist he appears outwards.

So, you consider a Somali person in Mogadishu an outsider and you wonder why people prefer federalism?

[Dalmar1]

7 minutes ago, Che -Guevara said:

So, you consider a Somali person in Mogadishu an outsider and you wonder why people prefer federalism?

Correct me if i am wrong, but isnt Somalia's today based on Federalism, if so then my statement above stands, until Somalia leans toward Centralism i will only support (during the federalism era) only those who have Mogadishu best at heart., i'm sure someone from Beled Xawo or Garowe will not look after Mogadishu interest but only that of his clans/village's interest.

Federalism is disease until dissolved will hold me against you, and you against me in terms of interest, its a zero sum game for all of us.

[Che -Guevara]

So, the Somali presidency will only go to one clan?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

That's why there is 4.5 and duopoly  maalinba nin baa  cadhaysan

[Samafal]

12 hours ago, Dalmar1 said:

Farmaajo is a failure beyond believe, all hopes and expectation people had for him have been totally wasted.

Since his election almost 2 years ago, he (farmaajo) and his stooge kheire have been only working for ways to destabilise Mogadishu, Jubaland, Hiirshabelle and Galmudug all in the name of benefiting their minority clans, farmaajo has turned from a fake nationalist into a outright corrupt clannist, the man has barely almost 2 years left in his term, yet acs like a dictator with unlimited term does he not worry about the consequences and backlash he and his people will face after his departure from the very people he is attacking.

Farmaajo is and will always be the great lesson people of Mogadishu have learned, and that is never to trust an outsider, no matter how nationalist he appears outwards.

You are showing your tribal colours. You attacking Farmaajo & Khayre clan because you wanted premiership for your Reer Baraxley  We can easily see through your motives. Remember Abdulqasim? There is trust issue when it comes to Reerka Dalmar. Unuka the Mogadishu majority subclan are suspicious of you , habasheegin Pirateska, Kabadaran Ariiroow meey fadaasee,  haka hadlin Watermaal of Marka

[Dalmar1]

4 minutes ago, Samafal said:

You are showing your tribal colours. You attacking Farmaajo & Khayre clan because you wanted premiership for your Reer Baraxley  We can easily see through your motives. Remember Abdulqasim? There is trust issue when it comes to Reerka Dalmar. Unuka the Mogadishu majority subclan are suspicious of you , habasheegin Pirateska, Kabadaran Ariiroow meey fadaasee,  haka hadlin Watermaal of Marka

What do you mean ''Unaka the Mogadishu majority'' Are you telling me that you are beesha Jowhar?.....

[Holac]

Dalmar1 actually makes a lot of sense. Farmaajo is a failure beyond repair.

[Old_Observer]

1 hour ago, Holac said:

Dalmar1 actually makes a lot of sense. Farmaajo is a failure beyond repair.

You are disappointed of the case with Eritrea. Formaajo has no options really. Everything is stacked against him.

I would be disappointed only if he was too childish not to have talked to Ghelleh even before he left to Eritrea. He probably should have stopped in Djibouti on his way back, but that would anger Eritrea and Shabab.

[Samafal]

You lot every one is a failure. It must be easy to run a government under your duvet.

[Mourad1]

CC Shakur's failed argument will not work on this forum. Farmaajo, as the name indicate already is a son of the City of Mogadishu.  A clannist from Adan Yabaal, Guriceel, or Buulo Burde can tell him nothing.