Baashe Yuusuf has announced that he is facing danger after the government forces...

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) — The former Chief Justice of Somalia, Baashe Yuusuf Axmed, who was removed from office by President Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, stated today that he does not have security in Mogadishu, rejecting the legitimacy of his removal and calling for the troops to be withdrawn from the court's premises.

Baashe accused the President of interfering with the judiciary and using government power in a manner that contradicts the law.

“The capital of my country does not provide me security,” Baashe said, as reported by Radio Risaala.

He urged Xasan Sheekh to lead the country and base his decisions on consultation, reminding him of the responsibility to unite the Somali people and maintain the country's unity.

Baashe, who held a press conference in Mogadishu, stated that many troops have been deployed to the Supreme Court, which he described as a source of fear and a threat to his security.

“I am not defending the position, but I am defending the law. The President must withdraw the three hundred troops he has stationed at the Court,” he said, as reported by Shabelle.

He insisted that his objection is about upholding the law and the independence of the judiciary. The number of troops he mentioned has not been independently verified.

When asked about allegations regarding his connections with foreign countries, Baashe denied that the Supreme Court is described as an agency working for another country. He stated that such allegations undermine statehood and that the judiciary is being threatened and targeted.

Baashe has also called on President Xasan Sheekh to accept the Supreme Court ruling of November 5 regarding the term limits of federal institutions.

The Dismissal Controversy

President Xasan Sheekh dismissed Baashe on November 4, appointing Lawyer Ibraahim Iidle Suleymaan as his replacement.

The Presidency justified this action by citing complaints from judges, judicial staff, and legal professionals regarding the transparency and fairness of the judicial system.

The President stated that a comprehensive reform of the judicial institutions is needed to provide the public with reliable justice.

However, the Supreme Court announced the following day that Baashe's dismissal was invalid. It argued that the President did not have the authority to unilaterally remove the chairman, describing the action as an obstruction to a constitutional case pending before the court.

This case was related to amendments to the constitution and the term limits of federal institutions. The court ruled that the terms had expired, and elections should be held within 90 days.

The Office of the Attorney General rejected the ruling on November 6, arguing that it lacked a legal basis. The office also stated that the court had not initially ruled on the government's objection to the court's authority to hear the case and the procedures followed.

While this controversy is ongoing, Xasan Sheekh participated in the swearing-in of Ibraahim Iidle Suleymaan.

The President urged the new chairman to uphold the law, the independence of the judiciary, and equal justice. The event was attended by the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the First Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, and the Minister of Justice and Constitution.