What do the Somali people expect from their new president?

Mohamud is not a newcomer, he served as 8th president between 2012 and 2017. His administration was plagued by corruption, with an elite inner circle - The damul-Jadid group looting public lands in Mogadishu.

News Keydmedia Online
18 May 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The people of Somalia are tired of the unfulfilled promises made by the leaders during the election campaigns as the country faces big crises, including security and recurrent droughts.

The newly-elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who secured a record-breaking second term in office in Sunday’s election in Mogadishu campaigned for “Somalia at peace with itself and with the world.”

Mohamud is not a newcomer, he served as 8th president between 2012 and 2017. His administration was plagued by corruption, with an elite inner circle - The damul-Jadid group looting public lands in Mogadishu.

Damul-Jadid gained influence and financial power during Hassan Sheikh's rule and it is now back in power with the people of Somalia still remembering how this political group is corrupt and money-thirsty.

After his election, the new leader said he learned lessons from his past mistakes and promised during his 4-year-term to improve the security, and economy and hold a popular election in Somalia after 57 years.

The people are pessimistic and mostly don’t believe that Hassan Sheikh will deliver on his promises and make a change in the country beset by three decades of conflict, piracy, terrorism, and political crisis.

The country is currently experiencing a drought that has affected more than 6 million people almost half of the population, with the UN agencies warning of famine similar to that of 2011.

Hassan Sheikh is expected to take over the office next week from his predecessor Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who has been in power for five years and three months, and will leave behind a bad legacy.

KEYDMEDIA English