Today, these former extremists present themselves
It is truly astonishing that the former Emir of the movement—now the most frequently appointed representative abroad in Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia—has reached such a prominent position. We, as Somalis, know one another. The world knows us, and so do our neighbouring countries.
It is common knowledge that the weak and overly centralised government based in Mogadishu has integrated high-ranking members of Al-Shabaab into the state structure—as ministers, military officers, secretaries, and intelligence officials. This deeply concerning reality is no longer a matter of speculation; it is now public fact.
Today, these former extremists present themselves under the guise of cooperation and unity. But sometimes, a single image can speak volumes. Body language, subtle gestures, and who stands beside whom often reveal far more than official statements.
Are the former Emirs, now rebranded as politicians, not concealing themselves in plain sight? Are they not carefully avoiding the scrutiny of the international community while quietly embedding themselves within Somalia’s political framework?
This weak federal government has not only failed to bring unity to regional states like Puntland and Jubaland, but instead appears more concerned with resenting the development and growing prosperity of the Republic of Somaliland, rather than learning from or cooperating with it.
The time has come for both Somalis and the international community to ask difficult but necessary questions—about legitimacy, leadership, and the future direction of governance in Somalia.
By: Abdirahman Buni
hadhwanaagnews 
