By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU – Somalia’s National Civil Servants’ Union has issued a strong condemnation against the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nur (Nuux Dheere), following his controversial decision to suspend six senior departmental directors from the ministry.
In a press conference held in Mogadishu, the union accused the minister of violating the Civil Service Law and acting outside established government procedures, describing the suspensions as politically motivated and driven by clan-based favoritism.
According to the union, the six dismissed directors had served in their respective positions for years and had maintained an “impeccable record” of public service. However, they were allegedly removed without formal investigation, performance review, or consultation with the Civil Service Commission — the government body mandated to oversee employment changes within the public sector.
“The minister’s actions are illegal, discriminatory, and contrary to the principles of fair governance,” said a union spokesperson. “This decision undermines confidence in public institutions and risks creating divisions along clan lines within the civil service.”
The union’s statement went on to emphasize that the Ministry of Transport’s decision “sets a dangerous precedent,” warning that such actions could discourage professional civil servants and foster a culture of political interference in public administration.
Several civil servants who spoke anonymously to the media expressed frustration and concern, saying the dismissals reflect a growing pattern of politicization and favoritism across key government institutions. They accused some ministers of appointing allies and relatives rather than qualified professionals, eroding transparency and accountability in public service.
The union called on Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to intervene immediately and order an independent investigation into the matter. It urged the Office of the Prime Minister and the Civil Service Commission to reinstate the affected directors and take measures to prevent further breaches of civil service regulations.
Civil society activists in Mogadishu have also weighed in, describing the minister’s actions as “a setback for Somalia’s efforts to reform its public sector.” One activist told HAN News that if left unaddressed, such practices could “weaken public trust in state institutions and undermine the government’s commitment to merit-based recruitment.”
As of Saturday evening, Minister Mohamed Farah Nur (Nuux Dheere) had not issued an official response to the allegations or provided clarification regarding the reasons behind the suspension of the six directors.
Observers note that this incident comes amid broader tensions between Somali ministries and civil service oversight bodies, as the government seeks to modernize its administrative structures and curb corruption within public institutions
