MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has suspended several senior officials from the presidential palace amid growing scrutiny over the inclusion of unauthorised individuals in official delegations during recent foreign trips.
The interim suspension affects Mohamed Amin Sheikh, the deputy director of Villa Somalia; Hinda Alasow, the director of protocol; and Abdirizak “British,” the president’s private secretary. All three are considered among the president’s closest aides, both politically and personally.
Presidential sources say the decision followed mounting criticism over the apparent misuse of foreign travel privileges and the inclusion of individuals with no formal role in government. The practice, long condemned by critics, has become a recurring concern for Somalia’s donors and diplomatic allies, particularly when such individuals have sought asylum abroad after accompanying official delegations.
While the suspension is officially described as temporary, it remains unclear whether it will lead to permanent dismissals or formal corruption charges. The move comes as President Mohamud faces heightened domestic and international pressure to address allegations of nepotism and misuse of state resources.
Recent public outrage followed reports that members of the president’s extended family joined his trips to Europe and North America, prompting criticism that state visits had been turned into personal excursions. Analysts suggest the latest action is a calculated effort to restore credibility within the administration and reassure Somalia’s foreign partners of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The development marks one of the most serious internal shake-ups within Villa Somalia in recent years and signals the president’s attempt to contain political fallout amid a growing crisis of public confidence in his leadership.
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