Somalia chief justice says president threatens his security after court ruling

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s Chief Justice, Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, said on Saturday that he no longer felt safe in the capital, Mogadishu, alleging that his personal security was threatened by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“I do not feel safe in the capital of the Somali nation. My security is threatened by the president whose term the court ruled had expired,” Bashe told journalists during a press briefing.

His remarks followed his dismissal by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday. However, five other Supreme Court judges subsequently ruled that the president’s term had expired, his constitutional amendments were unlawful and his decision to dismiss the chief justice was without legal authority.

Since the ruling, all five judges, together with the chief justice, have reportedly faced security threats, while troops have taken control of the Supreme Court building in Mogadishu.

The chief justice and the five judges have since sought refuge at the residence of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, following the authorities’ decision to withdraw the chief justice’s security detail, as well as the security personnel assigned to the five judges who issued the ruling.

In an emotional statement, Bashe questioned how ordinary Somali citizens could feel secure in Mogadishu if even senior state officials were unable to enjoy personal security in the capital. He further questioned how officials from other parts of the country could reasonably expect to find safety there.

He lamented that, in present-day Mogadishu, only those who wield weapons could feel secure.

Despite the circumstances, Bashe expressed hope for a brighter future, saying that Somalia would one day see justice prevail and that those who wield weapons and those who do not would stand on equal footing before the law.

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