Somali Opposition rejects Supreme Court Chief’s dismissal

Somalia’s opposition leaders have strongly rejected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to dismiss Supreme Court Chief Justice Baashe Yusuf Ahmed, accusing him of undermining judicial independence and violating the rule of law.

Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned the move, saying the dismissal was unconstitutional and had interfered with the independence of the judiciary. He also alleged that security forces had been deployed to the Supreme Court headquarters to prevent the implementation of a court ruling that overturned the president’s decision.

Sharif supported the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify amendments to the provisional constitution, arguing that the constitutional procedures for removing judicial leaders had not been followed. He warned that continued interference in state institutions could undermine Somalia’s constitutional order and the rule of law.

The former president described the dismissal as an unlawful decision driven by personal interests, stressing that the independence of the judiciary must be protected as one of the three main branches of government.

Meanwhile, opposition politician and Member of Parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame also criticised President Hassan Sheikh’s decision, accusing him of pushing the country into an increasingly difficult political situation.

The opposition’s reaction comes amid growing political tensions following the unexpected dismissal of Chief Justice Baashe Yusuf Ahmed, with critics warning that the move could further weaken constitutional institutions and deepen divisions in the country.

Mustaqbal