By: Ibrahim Abdi
In a period where leadership on the African continent is increasingly determined by the strategic placement of its leaders in international bodies, Somalia once again stands at a crossroads, seemingly led away from its path to greater influence. President Hasan Sheikh Mohamoud’s recurrent decisions to sideline Somali talents for key regional and international positions have sparked not just disappointment but a profound concern over the nation’s diplomatic strategies.
The recent controversy involves none other than Ms. Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam, a seasoned politician, and a beacon of hope for many aspiring Somali women and intellectuals. Her candidacy for the chairperson of the African Union, already a favored contender against other East African nominees, has been overshadowed by what appears to be political maneuvering that favors external interests over national pride and potential.
Despite Ms. Fawzia’s superior qualifications, experience, and significant support from African states’ leadership, it is starkly evident that other candidates, unlike Fawzia, have secured the unwavering support of their respective presidents. This stark disparity highlights the unique challenges she faces, underscoring a troubling pattern of neglect by her own nation’s leadership.
This is not the first instance of President Mohamoud overlooking Somali talent in crucial diplomatic arenas. In 2016, at a key juncture in African politics, he chose not to endorse Fawzia, opting instead for a Kenyan candidate who, despite intense lobbying by Kenya’s president, ultimately failed to secure the position. Today, history is repeating itself. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s candidate, is now receiving preferential backing from Somalia’s leadership, swayed by President Omar Guelleh of Djibouti. This ongoing pattern of decisions not only highlights a disregard for promoting national talent but also questions the strategic priorities of Somalia’s foreign policy under President Mohamoud’s leadership.
It is profoundly concerning that President Hasan Sh. Mohamoud, despite initially signaling support for Ms. Fawzia, has evidently succumbed to external pressure from President Ismail Omar Guelleh. President Guelleh, demonstrating a firm commitment to securing this prestigious position for his nation, actively champions his own candidate to advance Djibouti’s national interests. This stark contrast in leadership dedication exposes a significant lapse in President Mohamoud’s diplomatic loyalty to Somalia’s capable individuals, undermining the potential to elevate Somalia’s influence on the global stage.
Such decisions raise fundamental questions about the aspirations President Mohamoud holds for Somalia’s place on the world stage. Is our leadership so easily swayed by external pressures that it would forsake its own citizens, who are not only qualified but also necessary for portraying Somalia’s resurgence and capabilities to the global audience?
Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam’s potential leadership of the African Union could serve as a critical platform for Somalia to assert its interests, promote its agenda for peace and development, and reinforce its sovereignty on an international platform. Her victory would symbolize a Somalia stepping out of the shadows of dependency to take up its rightful place as a leader in the African narrative.
As Somalis, it is imperative that we question and critique the decisions that shape our country’s destiny. We must demand accountability from our leaders, ensuring they champion our national talents and advocate for our rightful positions in global arenas. If President Mohamoud persists in favoring a Djiboutian citizen over Fawzia, this would not only mark a grave diplomatic blunder but also irrevocably tarnish his legacy. Our voices need to resonate with the call for leadership that not only recognizes but also harnesses the potential of its people for the greater national interest.
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