Somali president promises ‘neutral’ foreign policy, ‘Somalia at peace with itself’

By The Star Staff Writer

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said during his inauguration that his new administration would embrace a “neutral policy” that is a “friend” to all countries willing to respect Somalia’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

The president, who was sworn in immediately after he was elected as the 10th president of Somalia on May 15, also urged his fellow countrymen to work toward a doctrine based on a “Somalia that’s at peace with itself and at peace with the world.”

“Our key principle on our foreign policy will be a neutral policy that doesn’t melt into the existing duel in the world,” the president said during his inauguration attended by regional leaders and two former Somali presidents. “Somalia will be a friend to any country that is ready to respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He said that Somalia’s ties with other countries would focus on trade, and that his administration would give a particular attention to its relations with neighboring countries, where hundreds of thousands of Somalis live as traders, residents and refugees.

“Our target will be strengthening (Somalia’s) trade ties with (foreign) countries, in general with African countries and in particular with the countries in the Horn of Africa” region, the president said in his 15-minute address.

The president is taking power in a country wrecked by debilitating drought, insecurity, political chaos and malign foreign interference. The country is also undergoing a seismic ideological contest over what governance model — federalism or centralism — it would adopt.

It’s far from clear how the president, whose image was severely damaged by his first-term’s poor performance, could score any meaningful achievements in his second term. He didn’t say what he practically will do differently this time around to accomplish his agenda.

His first-term’s six pillars that promised unity, stability, better economy, peaceful country, delivery of social services and good ties with the world have almost all of them come a cropper. The country still depends on foreign forces and funding for its security and survival.

The president’s speech didn’t contain any major announcements that are likely to drastically disrupt the status quo. He stumbled on his words several times and appeared somewhat tired and unexcited. The speech itself was devoid of any specifics on security, economy and political matters.

The president, however, struck a note of reconciliation.

The focus will be on a “political stability that can be achieved through consultation, consensus and unity between the Somali people’s leader, especially the federal government and the regional states, while at all times respecting the Constitution and other laid down laws of the country,” said the president, pledging to continue the talks between the government and separatists in the northwestern region of Somalia.

Somalis are keenly watching the president’s every move, with many, including his inner circle, already disapproving of the appointment of Mahad Salad as the country’s spy chief. Fahad Yasin, former director of the intelligence agency, accused Mahad of being a member of al Shabab militants.

In his speech, the president said Somalia would cooperate with its neighbors on security, especially on the dangers coming from al Shabab militants and the Islamic State.

He also promised to complete the provisional Constitution as “justice is the mainstay of a peaceful Somalia” and pledged to federalize the country “to draw the government nearer to the people”. He said his social contract with the Somali people would be based on “persuasion and compromise”.

Drought

The president lamented the drought ravaging the country that has so far affected 7.7 million people. Some 2.9 million people are also internally displaced. He said the Somali people appear to have been caught up in a circle in which they for six months spend long hours on fetching water and in the next six months struggle with floods caused by heavy rains and overflowing rivers.

“These were caused by a combination of problems, such as climate change, destruction of economic infrastructures and the fragility of our government institutions,” he said, promising to set up a department whose task would be climate change.

He said it’s an “imperative” to enhance government institutions’ resistance to natural disasters.

“I appeal to Somalis around the world to take part in the salvage of our drought-hit people, with a focus on preventing the drought from turning into a famine,” the president said in his address punctuated by applause.

Economy

He said his administration would continue engaging with international financial institutions until the country’s debt is written off.

“Transparency and accountability” would be the basis of the country’s financial management, he said, vowing to increase the sources of the government’s income by utilizing the country’s abundant natural resources.

“My government will be held accountable for, Allah willing, what it delivers,” the president said. “It will be a government that listens to and respects only its people and their opinion on governance, a government that works only for their interests.”

The president said Somalia has metaphorically departed the station and is on the move, with a little time left before it reaches its destination.

“We will overcome this,” the president said. “We request the Somali people to be united, get together, compromise to each other. Let’s all focus on working for tomorrow to realize a Somalia that’s at peace with itself and at peace with the world.”

The president, who led the country between 2012 and 2017, said that his administration would “day and night” work toward the realization of the public’s aspiration to have a representative government “with the help of the Somali people everywhere”. He promised a Somalia where everyone is entitled to elect or be elected anywhere.

“We will work hard to be the servants of the public,” he said.

The new president thanked his predecessors, calling them “elders whose advice” would be sought. The former presidents would be accorded the respect they legally deserve and the respect they deserve from his administration, he said.

“I hope that the friends of Somalia who’re present here today will help us realize our people’s aspirations,” the president said.

Somalia’s tradition of peaceful power transfer — disrupted by the 21-year-old military rule — was on full display during the inauguration, a spectacle that appeared to even make a mockery of America’s democracy. The US’s former President, Donald Trump, skipped the inauguration ceremony of his successor, Joe Biden.

Former Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed happily stood at the new president’s sides.

“This victory we pride ourselves on today is not a victory for an individual. It’s a victory for Somalia when you look at the bigger picture. It’s a victory for our governance’s reputation. It’s a victory that raised the profile of our country and our people,” said President Farmajo.

He urged Somalis to support President Mohamud’s government, saying, “it’s incumbent upon every citizen to stand by the government and protect the reputation of our government and our leaders.”

“Mr. President, we stand by you and will work with you and we’re ready to give any advice you ask for,” Farmajo said.

On his part, President Ahmed also pledged support to President Mohamud, saying the peaceful transfer of power shows the “political maturity” in the country.

“I congratulate every Somali who contributed to this and I congratulate all the people who love Somalia who played a role. We say ‘thank you for your efforts’,” said Ahmed.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, called the peaceful handoff of power in Somalia “very reassuring.”

“I wish the Somali people lasting peace and prosperity,” said Abiy, who attended the inauguration, in Somali language.