Mogadishu, Somalia – In a stunning display of political maneuvering and betrayal, the Somali Government in Mogadishu has chosen to privately back Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the foreign minister of Djibouti, as the African Union Commission (AUC) chairman, despite having its own candidate, Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia. This decision not only undermines Somalia’s own interests but also raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to gender equality and its willingness to support qualified female candidates for prestigious positions.
Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam, a highly respected and accomplished diplomat, was recently endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the position of AUC chairman. Her candidacy represented a significant opportunity for Somalia to assert its leadership on the African stage and to promote the representation of women in high-level positions. However, the Somali government’s decision to back a foreign candidate over its own highly qualified female candidate is a shameful act of betrayal that undermines the principles of gender equality and national pride.
A Pattern of Betrayal and Gender Bias
The Somali government’s decision to back Mahamoud Ali Youssouf over Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam is not an isolated incident but rather part of a disturbing pattern of betrayal and gender bias. Just recently, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) supported a Tanzanian candidate over its own Marwa Abdi Bashir Hagi in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) presidential election, despite her impressive qualifications and experience. This latest betrayal of Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam is yet another example of the government’s willingness to undermine the aspirations and achievements of its own female leaders in favor of political expediency and foreign interests.
The fact that the Somali government has chosen to betray not one but two highly qualified female candidates in quick succession raises serious questions about its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in leadership positions. This pattern of behavior suggests a deep-seated bias against women in positions of power and a lack of respect for their abilities and achievements. It is a shameful reflection on a government that claims to be committed to progress and development but seems more interested in playing political games and backing foreign interests over its own talented and dedicated female leaders.
Implications for Somalia’s International Standing
The Somali government’s decision to back a foreign candidate over Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam for the position of AUC chairman has significant implications for the country’s international standing and credibility. By betraying its own candidate and failing to support a highly qualified female leader, the government is sending a clear message to the international community that it is not serious about promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. This could have serious consequences for Somalia’s reputation and its ability to attract support and investment from international partners who prioritize these issues.
Moreover, the government’s willingness to undermine its own interests and back a foreign candidate raises questions about its sovereignty and independence. It suggests that the government is more interested in pleasing foreign powers and playing political games than in promoting its own national interests and the aspirations of its own people. This could further erode public trust in the government and undermine its legitimacy, both at home and abroad.
The Need for Accountability
The Somali government’s shameful betrayal of Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam and its pattern of gender bias and political maneuvering demand urgent accountability and reform. The government must be held to account for its actions and its failure to support qualified female candidates for high-level positions. This requires a concerted effort by civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and the international community to pressure the government to live up to its obligations and commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Moreover, the government must take concrete steps to address the deep-seated gender bias and discrimination that pervade its institutions and decision-making processes. This requires a comprehensive approach that includes legal and policy reforms, education and awareness-raising campaigns, and the promotion of women’s leadership and participation at all levels of government and society. The government must also take steps to increase transparency and accountability in its decision-making processes, to ensure that the interests of the Somali people are prioritized over foreign interests and political expediency.
