Are Somalia's security forces playing politics?

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Throughout the presidency of Farmajo, questions have been asked about his relationship with the security sector and their constitutional roles, often leading to harsh criticism, despite his usual defense.

For four years, both civilians and members of the opposition have raised serious concerns over the alleged bias of the Somali National Army [SNA], Haramcad police, and the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], with a number of them providing proof of the said discrimination.

Like in February and April, the security forces were accused of targeting protesters, who were demonstrating against Farmajo's term extension, which he has since rescinded. The matter is still under investigation but the federal government issued an apology.

In a Twitter Space discussion conducted by Garowe Online on Tuesday night attended by former security minister Abdirizak Mohamed, former deputy NISA boss Abdisalam Guled, Samir Gaid, a security analyst, Col Ahmed Abdullahi, former Danab commander, and Abdirashid Abdullahi, the former defense minister.

Some of the participants have accused Farmajo of politicizing security forces, at the expense of pushing for his "transient" political gains during his presidency. 

"If there is no power that controls sitting presidents, the security can be politicized. Farmajo has been the worst in misusing security forces evident in their execution of duties," said Abdisalam Guled, a former Deputy NISA director.

"Somali has four branches of armed forces. Any forces trained outside these jurisdictions are for political reasons. They mainly suppress critics," added Abdirashid Abdullahi, former Defense Minister for FGS.

But despite security forces such as Turkish-trained Gor-Gor troops and Haramcad police often picking sides, the Danab Special Forces, who are trained by Americans, have never taken part in Somalia's internal politics.

Like in April, the Danab Special Forces did not take part in Mogadishu clashes, which saw mutineers take on loyal forces, who were accused of supporting illegal term extension by Farmajo. The troops have since returned to barracks.

"Danab Forces are under the US military. That's among the reasons they are not used for political purposes," said Col Ahmed Abdullahi, a former commander of Danab Special Forces.

Abdirizak Mohamed, a former security Minister and now Federal MP, said Parliament does not take account of security forces seriously, thus their often participation in matters politics of the country. He said: "Parliament lack of accountability oversight of security forces is the reason for security abuses for personal political gains by current leaders."

Also surfacing in the discussion was the issue of youths being trained in Eritrea in what many have referred to "clandestine" deal. An unknown number of youths are said to be in Asmara where they are undergoing military training even without the knowledge of their families.

While the Somali government acknowledges this fact, it has however refuted claims that a number of them have either participated or killed in the Tigray war. Their families took to the streets a fortnight ago demanding to know their whereabouts.

"Recruited members I personally contacted told me that Farmajo and Southwest parliament Speaker Ali Fiqi were among those who visited the training of the youth in Eritrea," said Guled, who added that at least 50 young soldiers have since sneaked out of Eritrea.

The office of the PM was unaware of the Somali youths dispatched to Eritrea for the training mission, said Samir, a security analyst, adding that the PM's office is not usually involved in the recruiting of the soldiers but rather policy and strategic guidance. 

Further, the panelists had varying opinions on the role of AMISOM troops in Somalia. The troops have been assisting the Somalia government by ensuring the Al-Shabaab militants are crushed, a mission that is yet to be completed.

The troops are set to leave the country by December 2021 upon full implementation of the Somali Transition Plan [STP]. There are close to 22,000 AMISOM troops in Somalia, which are funded by international partners.

"The withdrawal of AMISOM is imminent and only needs to be pursued and acted upon by the federal government," Samira said.

The panelists raised a red flag over favoritism, nepotism, and cronyism in the appointment of the top commanders of military and security agencies in Somalia, taking Fahad Yasin, the head of NISA as an example.

Yasin, a former Al Jazeera journalist has been appointed as Somalia's spy chief in August 2019, moving from Chief of Staff with no experience in security and intelligence matters.

He is the right-hand man of Farmajo that made him a powerful figure in the Federal Government of Somalia, served as his election campaign manager in 2017.

Among the issues discussed include The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) that was accused of meddling in Somali politics rather than working for restoring peace.

Garowe Online understands that former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire was at first in charge of the rebuilding of the SNA but the task was taken over by Farmajo after their relations worsened of relations.

GAROWE ONLINE