The Economist “Newspaper” Recycles Political Stereotypes About Somalia

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo (left) and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (right). The Economist’s use of the same “power grab” label in both 2021 and 2026 suggests a reliance on recycled political narratives rather than careful attention to the differing facts and constitutional realities of each crisis.

Mogadishu (Commentary) — The Economist , the London-based “newspaper”, is known for reports without by-lines. It is an old publication that is dumbing down. The causes of its decline have more to do with a lack of journalistic memory. Its reporters and editors do not bother consulting bound collections of the newspaper (it calls itself a newspaper) to ensure that tired stereotypes do not pass for reportage.

In its latest edition, a report on Somalia used the term “power grab” in the same cavalier manner it used five years ago: “a power grab by Somalia’s president” (in 2021) and “a presidential power grab” (in 2026). In 2021, the former president had his term extended unlawfully after his mandate had expired, but in 2026 constitutional amendments preceded the term extension.

The Economist misleads readers when it describes the group of politicians opposed to the constitutional amendments as “the opposition”. Only when a country transitions to a multiparty system, whereby political parties contest for power in a fair manner, can a country be said to have an opposition.