Mogadishu, SOMALIA – The Villa Somalia, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Somalia, posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the presence of Mr. Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, the leader of the SSC-Khatumo administration, in Mogadishu. According to the post, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, who chaired the second session of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in the capital, received a report from Mr. Aw-Ali, who is allegedly on a business trip to Mogadishu.
However, sources close to Mr. Aw-Ali have confirmed to The Somali Digest that the real purpose of his visit was to attend the NCC meeting, not to conduct business as claimed by the Villa Somalia. This apparent snub of the SSC-Khatumo leader has raised questions about the motives behind his exclusion from the NCC and the broader implications for Somalia’s unity and reconciliation efforts.
The SSC-Khatumo Conundrum
The SSC-Khatumo administration, which represents a significant portion of the Somali population, has long been a key stakeholder in the country’s political landscape, fighting for unity and rejecting secession in northwest Somalia. The region has been grappling with issues of marginalization and under-representation in the national decision-making processes, and the exclusion of its leader from the NCC meeting is seen by many as a further manifestation of this exclusion.
If, as the Villa Somalia claims, Mr. Aw-Ali is not allowed to be part of the NCC, the question arises as to why he was summoned to Mogadishu in the first place. The official statement’s reference to a “business trip” appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to downplay the significance of his presence and to avoid acknowledging the real reason behind his visit.
This apparent snub of the SSC-Khatumo leader is not only a personal humiliation but also a blow to the aspirations of the people he represents. It sends a message that their voices and concerns are not valued at the highest levels of government and that their participation in the national dialogue is not a priority.
Appeasing Separatists at the Cost of Unity
The decision to exclude Mr. Aw-Ali from the NCC meeting has been widely interpreted as an attempt to appease the separatist region of Somaliland. The Hassan Sheikh administration has been criticized in the past for its perceived concessions to Somaliland, which led to the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Ethiopia on January 1, 2024, which many saw as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The exclusion of the SSC-Khatumo leader from the NCC meeting appears to be another step in this direction, with the government seemingly willing to sacrifice the interests of one region to placate the demands of another. This approach is not only misguided but also counterproductive, as it risks further alienating and marginalizing communities that are already feeling disenfranchised and excluded from the national discourse.
Moreover, the recognition of SSC-Khatumo as part of Somaliland, as implied by the government’s stance, is a dangerous precedent that undermines Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. It sends a message that the government is willing to compromise on fundamental principles to appease separatist agendas, rather than working towards a more inclusive and representative political settlement.
Need for Inclusive Dialogue
The controversy surrounding the exclusion of the SSC-Khatumo leader from the NCC meeting highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to national dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia. The country has been grappling with the legacy of decades of conflict, political instability, and social fragmentation, and the only way forward is through an inclusive process that brings all stakeholders to the table.
The NCC, as a forum for national consultation and decision-making, should be a space where all regions and communities can come together to discuss their concerns, aspirations, and visions for the future of the country. The exclusion of key stakeholders, such as the SSC-Khatumo leader, undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of this process and perpetuates the cycle of exclusion and marginalization that has fueled conflict and instability in the past.
To build a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Somalia, the government must prioritize efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusivity. This requires a willingness to engage with all stakeholders, including those with differing views and agendas, and to work towards a political settlement that addresses the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all Somali communities.
