The government should seek clarification on the disrespect shown by the EU ambassador to the president

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The decision of the European Union ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, to refer to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in her statement without using his presidential title has raised serious questions about diplomatic protocol, at a time when Somalia is in a sensitive political situation.

In the statement she published, she mentioned that Hassan Sheikh had informed her of his views on the recent political discussions and that she had spoken with the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni.

She added that both sides remain open to dialogue and that the Somali people will decide their political agreement.

The message appeared to support dialogue. However, the omission of the presidential title for Hassan Sheikh was a notable issue, as it came at a time when there is a political dispute regarding the president's term, electoral reforms, and the federal system of Somalia.

It also came from an ambassador based in Mogadishu, who operates under diplomatic agreements with the Somali government and regularly interacts with the federal government and Villa Somalia.

Diplomatic protocol Diplomatic language is often not coincidental.

Titles carry political and constitutional weight, especially in fragile countries where the statements of foreign diplomats are closely read for messages related to recognition, pressure, or mediation.

Hassan Sheikh and Deni are not on the same constitutional level. Hassan Sheikh is the head of the Federal Government of Somalia, he oversees the federal institutions in Mogadishu, and he represents Somalia on international platforms.

Deni is the president of the Puntland administration, which is a federal member state, and he is also a politician with significant weight in the current conflict. Both are important for reaching a political solution. However, they do not hold two equivalent positions.

The title “President” is not a personal honor given to Hassan Sheikh. It is the recognition of the federal office that manages Somalia's internal affairs and its international relations.

An ambassador recognized in Somalia does not engage with Villa Somalia as one side among conflicting groups. She engages with it as the federal presidential office and the agency that underpins the diplomatic relationship of the Somali government.

This does not prevent diplomats from engaging with Puntland, the opposition, or other stakeholders. But that relationship should not erase the protocol distinction between the head of state and other political actors.

Legal and real power Hassan Sheikh's position stands on two matters: legitimacy and real power.

The Somali Parliament has approved constitutional amendments that extended the term of federal institutions from four years to five years. According to that framework, the term of the current federal institutions will last until 2027.

This makes Hassan Sheikh a president under the legal framework approved by both houses of the Somali Parliament.

The opposition can reject that view. Puntland may oppose it. Politicians can debate it. But it is not the job of a foreign ambassador to determine the legitimacy of Somalia's constitutional process through a social media post.

That question belongs to the Somali people and Somali institutions.

Hassan Sheikh also still holds power at Villa Somalia. He leads the federal government, receives ambassadors, directs federal institutions, and represents Somalia at international meetings.

Therefore, he is a president both legally and in terms of power. That reality should be reflected in diplomatic language.

A visible change The issue intensifies considering that Di Mauro had previously used that title.

In a statement she published in February, she welcomed political discussions that she said had begun at a lunch “hosted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.” She then specifically mentioned Deni, the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Madobe, and former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Those words indicated a clear understanding of protocol. Hassan Sheikh was presented as the federal president who hosted the discussions, while the other politicians were presented as participants.

Thus, her later decision to omit the presidential title cannot simply be interpreted as a social media slip.

It occurred after the term dispute had become very heated. That gave her words a political significance that had not existed before.

Continuation of diplomacy It is possible that the European Union wants to avoid the appearance of being d...