MOGADISHU — Political sources familiar with regional affairs and based in Addis Ababa and Djibouti say President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pursuing efforts to replace Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare, the Somali national serving as Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
According to the sources, the reported move is linked to remarks made by Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare during the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) meeting held in Kampala, Uganda. The comments were reportedly viewed negatively by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and are said to have contributed to tensions surrounding the official.
However, the details of the remarks and whether they directly caused a dispute between the two officials have not been independently verified. No official statement has been issued by the Somali Presidency, IGAD, or Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare confirming that a removal or replacement process is underway.
IGAD Procedures and Appointment Process
Although the Somali president may have political influence regarding Somalia’s representatives in international and regional institutions, the removal or replacement of a senior IGAD official cannot be decided solely by the president of Somalia.
Appointments and changes involving senior officials within IGAD are governed by the organization’s internal procedures and require action through the relevant institutional mechanisms of the regional body.
If Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare were to be replaced, the move would likely attract significant attention in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa, raising questions about the political circumstances and motivations behind such a decision.
Debate Over Clan Representation
The issue has gained additional sensitivity because Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare is from the Hawadle community. The reports come shortly after the removal of Dr. Abdinur Sheikh Mohamed, who served as Chairman of Somalia’s Higher Education Commission and is also from the Hawadle clan.
Dr. Abdinur Sheikh Mohamed was replaced by Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Jimcaale, who was appointed to lead the Higher Education Commission and is from the Abgaal Wacaysle community.
The developments have fueled broader discussions about clan representation within Somalia’s government institutions and whether political appointments maintain the balance expected under the country’s long-standing power-sharing arrangements.
Political analysts say that appointments and dismissals of senior officials in Somalia often carry implications beyond administrative decisions, as they can influence relations between the federal government and communities represented by those officials.
Names Mentioned in Political Discussions
Meanwhile, there has been speculation among political circles that if a change occurs in the IGAD deputy executive secretary position, Major General Abdirahman Mahmoud Turyare could potentially be considered for the role.
General Turyare, who currently serves as a senior adviser to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is from the Abgaal Wacaysle community. His name has been mentioned in some political discussions regarding possible candidates for the position.
However, there has been no official confirmation that he is being considered or that any replacement process has begun.
Potential Political Impact
Analysts say that any change involving a senior IGAD position would require careful diplomatic handling, given the organization’s importance in regional security, political cooperation and economic coordination in the Horn of Africa.
The reports emerge as Somalia continues to face major political debates over institutional reforms, security arrangements, political representation and the future direction of national leadership.
If the reported efforts to replace Dr. Mohamed Abdi Waare materialize, the decision could have implications for domestic politics in Somalia and the relationship between the federal government and different segments of society.
For now, the issue remains at the level of political reports and speculation, with attention focused on possible developments from the Somali government and IGAD.
