Fiqi Shifts from Politics to the Front Lines

Beledweyne (WDN) In a move that surprised many political observers, Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, widely described by critics as President Hassan’s chief political mouthpiece, led a high-level government delegation to Beledweyne in what is being viewed as one of his most prominent public engagements focused directly on his ministerial portfolio.

The delegation, comprising cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and senior government officials, traveled to the capital of the Hiiraan region to participate in celebrations marking the 49th anniversary of Djibouti’s Independence, commemorating the country’s liberation from French colonial rule on June 27, 1977.

Joining the defense minister were Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdifatah Qasim Mahmoud, State Minister for Internal Security Ali Mohamed Haga, Djibouti’s Ambassador to Somalia Osman Doubad, and several members of Somalia’s Federal Parliament.

The ceremony was held in honor of the Djiboutian “Hiil Walaal” contingent serving in Hiiraan under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM ) . For years, the Djiboutian forces have fought alongside the Somali National Army, playing a significant role in counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, protecting civilian populations, and helping stabilize areas recovered from the militant group.