Mogadishu, Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took the unusual step of suspending three of his senior aides as part of what officials described as an effort to tighten discipline inside Villa Somalia. The decision affected Deputy Chief of Staff Mohamed Amin Sheikh, Chief of Protocol Hinda Ulusow, and Personal Assistant Abdirisak Mohamed Mohamud, widely known as “British.”
The shake-up followed concerns inside the presidency over the handling of recent official travel arrangements. According to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions, senior staff were faulted for allowing individuals who were not formally cleared to join previous state trips. The missteps triggered frustration within the President’s circle and ultimately prompted the temporary suspensions, which will remain in place until further notice.
The timing of the action is notable. The President traveled to Algeria last week for a state visit and has since returned to Mogadishu. None of the suspended aides accompanied him, a sign that the decision had already been set in motion before his departure. Their absence fueled speculation that the presidency was preparing to recalibrate its internal operations.
Inside government, the move is being interpreted as part of the President’s wider push to strengthen accountability as Somalia embarks on a critical stage of state-building. With political competition intensifying ahead of the next electoral cycle, the presidency has faced growing pressure to demonstrate cleaner governance and firmer oversight of public resources. The suspensions have stirred debate in political circles, with some welcoming the firmness while others worry about potential factional fallout.
For now, Villa Somalia has kept its public posture quiet, but the action has sent a clear message through the corridors of government. The coming weeks may reveal whether the temporary suspensions lead to broader reforms or signal deeper tensions within the president’s team.