Since Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble came under investigation for his involvement in the diversion of land belonging to the Somali National Army (SNA), he has gone on the offensive and stepped up attempts to undermine the security of the state.
On January 1, Abdullahi Mohamed Nur, the Minister of Internal Security, ordered NISA agents to vacate the airport premises while uniformed American-trained NISA units may remain there but would report to the National Police.
Mr. Nur was appointed at this sensitive position on September after his predecessor, Hassan Hundubey, was unexpectedly sacked by the Prime Minister. The appointment was highly controversial as Mr. Nur, nicknamed “30 years-30 millions”, after bragging about his rapid fortune in office, was part of the opposition to President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and was a harsh critic of NISA agents which he likened to terrorists on television.
The reason cited for NISA agents to vacate the airport premises is, according to a letter addressed to “All international partners”, to “depoliticize” the airport for the safety of travelers.
Amateurism that makes the laughing stock
While the move contradicts previous security agreements where the work of NISA officers is essential to airport security, the amateurism of the poorly written letter has not been lost on many commentators. It goes without saying that the attempt to change airport security has gone unheeded. The attempt to change airport security has even caused an uproar among airlines already satisfied with the status quo.
While the investigation on PM Roble’s alleged corruption is underway, his allies and himself are racing against time to control the national security system, knowing full well the president is the head of all the security forces.
Roble named a team of five of his friends within the cabinet to investigate a “coup” President Farmajo would have attempted to remove him from office when Army officer prevented him from going to his office on December 27th.
On January 6th, Roble’s newly appointed Minister of Defense, Abdukadir Nur Jama “TicToc”, on his part, summoned high ranking army officer responsible for Villa Somalia protection to a meeting to respond to allegation of having participated in a “coup” against the Prime minister. It remains to be seen if the officers would follow up with this frivolous accusation.
For lack of winning argument
Since February, Prime Minister Roble has been plotting with the Mogadishu-based Presidential Candidate Council (CPC) to take over the country’s elections and security. Indeed, the opposition’s campaign and their support for Mr. Roble to be in charge of the elections have always been aimed at seizing the entire security system and then forcing President Farmajo out of Villa Somalia.
The CPC members know they cannot beat Mr. Farmajo at the polls, whether though a direct or indirect election. Their frustration goes hand in hand with the machinations of foreign residents of Halane. Roble, whose incompetence and pursuit of wealth make him vulnerable to manipulation, has received diplomatic and financial assistance to knowingly delay the elections so that the dismantling of the security system can proceed.
Roble tried to fire Abdullahi Kulane, NISA Deputy Director. Then, Fahad Yasin, Somalia’s well respected NISA Director, now President Farmajo’s Security Advisor. Followed by Hassan Hundubey and now after a lull he replaced the Defence Minister.
In September, as he wanted to compete with him, the president put the Prime minister in his rightful place. He limited his powers and made him focus only on the delayed elections. Unfortunately, the president thought he had him under his watch until Roble met Ismail Omar Guelleh in Djibouti in December.
Holding back the elections
Now, racking up blunders and getting bogged down in his crimes against the state, the Prime Minister’s reckless attempt to seize the powers of head of state, which are constitutionally off-limits to him, now borders on ridicule and despair as the trap closes on him.
During the National Consultative Council meeting, held since January 3, Roble requested regional states leaders and the Benadir governor, in private and in public, and in all tones, the authority of the Commander-in-Chief to be transferred to his office. The request was deemed irrelevant to the election, but he still went ahead and asked what was not in their power.
However, he found support for his daring demand from Puntland and Jubaland leaders, Said Deni and Ahmed Madobe, who oddly do not allow any federal forces in their capitals, while Galmudug, Southwest and Benadir leaders who have federal forces in their territories oppose it.
As the NCC is on the verge of collapsing due to the Prime Minister’s insistence that he be granted this special security power, many believe these election talks are just distractions and the root of his stubbornness are found elsewhere in the foreign-infested Halane compound. With this new setback under his belt, it’s unclear how long Prime Minister Roble would continue to bang his head against a closed door.
