Mogadishu, SOMALIA – In a shocking display of divisive rhetoric, Bashir Moalim Ali Hassan, the Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation, has sparked outrage with his inflammatory comments targeting the people of Southwest State. Speaking at an event intended to oppose Ethiopia’s controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, Hassan veered off course, using the platform to launch a scathing attack on Southwest locals who have shown support for Ethiopia. He referred to these individuals as “illegitimate children left behind by the Ethiopian forces when Abdullahi Yusuf was President.”
Bashir Moalim’s remarks have not only exposed the deeply entrenched clan divisions that continue to plague Somalia but have also cast a harsh light on the federal government’s apparent willingness to exploit these fault lines for political gain. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many Somalis condemning the Director General’s words as a blatant attempt to undermine national unity and sow discord among the country’s diverse clans.
A Nation Divided
The controversy surrounding Bashir Moalim’s remarks has laid bare the clan dynamics that continues to shape Somalia’s political landscape. Despite the federal government’s repeated calls for national unity in the face of external challenges, such as the ongoing dispute with Ethiopia over the Somaliland MoU, the reality on the ground paints a far more fractured picture.
Bashir Moalim’s attack on Southwest locals, framed in the context of their alleged ties to Ethiopian forces during the presidency of Abdullahi Yusuf, has reignited long-standing grievances and deepened the divide between Somalia’s clans. By resorting to such inflammatory language, the Director General has not only insulted a significant portion of the Somali population but has also undermined the very notion of a united Somalia, one that transcends clan affiliations and historical animosities.
The federal government’s apparent tolerance for such divisive rhetoric raises serious questions about its commitment to fostering a genuine sense of national identity. While publicly championing the cause of Somali sovereignty in its dealings with Ethiopia, the government seems to be simultaneously engaging in the very clan politics that have long hindered the country’s progress towards stability and cohesion.
The Case Against Bashir Moalim Ali Hassan
The controversy surrounding Bashir Moalim Ali Hassan’s remarks takes on an even more troubling dimension when viewed in the context of the corruption allegations leveled against him. The Director General had been accused of corruption and ordered by local courts to remain in Mogadishu pending further investigation. However, in a move that has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the federal government’s commitment to accountability, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud allegedly intervened, ordering the case against Hassan to be thrown out without due process.
This apparent act of presidential overreach not only undermines the rule of law but also sends a chilling message about the culture of impunity that seems to permeate the upper echelons of the Somali government. The fact that Hassan, a high-ranking official facing serious corruption charges, was able to escape legal scrutiny and continue his duties unimpeded suggests a systemic problem that extends far beyond the realm of clan politics.
Moreover, the president’s alleged interference in the judicial process raises disturbing questions about the independence of Somalia’s courts and the government’s willingness to hold its own officials accountable for their actions. This erosion of public trust in the country’s institutions poses a significant threat to Somalia’s long-term stability and its prospects for building a more just and equitable society.
