MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed his son, Abdifatah Hassan Sheikh, as the commander of his special bodyguard unit, in a move widely seen as a deepening of nepotism within the country’s leadership.
The decision comes amid heightened security concerns following a recent assassination attempt by the militant group al-Shabaab. Abdifatah’s predecessor, Maslah Mohamud Mohamed, was promoted to lead the broader presidential guard unit, a reshuffle that analysts say reflects the president’s growing mistrust and desire to consolidate personal security.
Abdifatah, who only recently joined the military during his father’s current term, had previously been seen in army fatigues accompanying the president on visits to frontline towns during the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab, launched in mid-2022. However, his rapid ascent has raised eyebrows within military ranks, where veteran officers with over a decade of service reportedly feel sidelined.
The appointment follows previous controversy over the president’s decision to name his daughter to a senior role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sparking a wave of public outrage over apparent favoritism.
President Mohamud, responding to allegations of nepotism, has publicly defended his actions, stating that government officials have the right to appoint relatives to official positions. His remarks have intensified criticism from transparency advocates, who say the president is entrenching a culture of cronyism in already fragile state institutions.
According to political analysts and longtime observers of Somalia’s government, Mohamud’s administration is increasingly seen as one of the most nepotistic and corruption-plagued in the country’s recent history. The awarding of key appointments and lucrative contracts to members of the president’s inner circle has fueled concerns over governance, accountability, and institutional integrity.
Critics warn that such practices risk further eroding public trust and undermining efforts to build a transparent, professional public sector in Somalia — a country long grappling with conflict, instability, and systemic graft.
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