By HornAfrica News
MOGADISHU — Political tensions have resurfaced in Somalia after leaders and representatives from the Hawadle community accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of removing senior officials from their community, describing the changes as politically motivated decisions aimed at reducing Hawadle influence within key state institutions.
The accusations have been raised by Hawadle politicians, traditional elders, religious scholars, academics, women representatives and youth leaders, who argue that recent changes in government appointments are driven by political calculations rather than professional assessments, institutional reforms or national priorities.
The controversy has reignited a wider debate over clan representation, political power-sharing and balance within Somalia’s federal system, where appointments to senior government and security positions have historically been closely connected to the country’s complex clan-based political structure.
Representatives of the Hawadle community say their clan played a significant role in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s return to power in 2022, providing political support during the presidential election and contributing to mobilization efforts against the Al-Shabaab militant group in central Somalia, particularly in the Hiraan region.
They argue that despite that support, Hawadle officials have gradually lost influential positions within federal government institutions during President Hassan Sheikh’s current term.
According to community representatives, several senior Hawadle officials have been removed, replaced or transferred from strategic positions within Somalia’s intelligence services, armed forces, police structures and civilian administration.
The positions cited by critics include senior roles within the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), the Somali Navy, Danab Special Forces, the Haramcad Police Unit, Banadir Regional Police Command, the Somali National Army’s 27th Division, military logistics departments, weapons and ammunition management offices, engineering institutions, and key financial and administrative agencies.
Hawadle leaders acknowledge that some of these positions were later assigned to other members of the community, including the command of the Somali National Army’s 27th Division, which was returned to a Hawadle officer. However, they maintain that the broader pattern reflects what they describe as a decline in the community’s representation across Somalia’s most important state institutions.
The criticism has intensified following reports circulating among Somali political circles that additional changes affecting senior Hawadle officials could take place in the near future.
Representatives of the Hawadle community have mentioned Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman (Baalle), IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, and the Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Moallim Hassan, among officials reportedly facing possible replacement.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the Somali Presidency nor the relevant government institutions have issued official statements confirming plans to remove the officials mentioned.
Hawadle leaders warn that if further changes occur, they could strengthen perceptions that experienced officials are being replaced due to political interests, new alliances or pressure from other political actors.
The Somali government has not publicly responded to the accusations.
Several Hawadle elders who spoke to HAN Media accused President Hassan Sheikh’s administration of neglecting the community despite what they described as Hawadle’s political support for the president and its contribution to military campaigns against Al-Shabaab in Hiraan.
One elder said the Hawadle community would continue defending its political interests, while acknowledging that internal divisions remained one of the biggest challenges facing the community.
“If he wants to remove them, let him continue and appoint members of his own clan or political allies instead. History will record these decisions. Hawadle is a large community that cannot be weakened by one individual. Our greatest weakness has been our lack of unity,” the elder said.
Political analysts say the dispute reflects broader challenges within Somalia’s federal system, where government appointments often carry political meaning beyond ordinary administrative decisions.
Although successive Somali governments have maintained that appointments are based on competence, institutional reform and national interests, critics argue that clan balance and political negotiations continue to play a major role in determining who occupies senior government positions.
The debate comes as Somalia continues major political and security reforms, including efforts to integrate regional forces into national security structures, reform state institutions, strengthen federal governance and prepare for future electoral changes.
Analysts say disputes over government appointments are likely to remain highly sensitive as Somali communities closely monitor their level of representation within national institutions.
Whether the current accusations develop into a wider political dispute will depend on future government decisions, upcoming appointments and whether the Federal Government chooses to publicly address the concerns raised by Hawadle leaders.
For now, the controversy highlights one of the central challenges facing Somalia’s leadership: balancing institutional reforms with political realities in a country where representation remains a key factor in maintaining national stability.
