Former Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called for an independent investigation into repeated army casualties near Buurhakaba, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of undermining military leadership and troop morale.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Former Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called for an independent investigation into repeated military casualties in southern Somalia, following the latest fighting near Buurhakaba district in Bay region, and accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of allowing political considerations to undermine military operations.
In a statement, Sharif expressed concern over the heavy losses suffered by Somali government forces in the latest clashes, which took place on Tuesday, and demanded accountability for those responsible for alleged failures in military planning and the protection of soldiers.
He said the recurring casualties raised serious questions about intelligence gathering, operational preparedness and the independence of the military command.
“It is regrettable that the repeated heavy losses suffered by the military have repeatedly raised questions about the quality of planning, intelligence information, operational preparedness and the independence of the military command,” Sharif said.
“The Somali National Army is the most valuable asset the nation possesses. The lives of Somali soldiers cannot be gambled with or sacrificed to advance political ambitions and personal interests,” he added.
Sharif, who served as Somalia’s president from 2009 to 2012, accused Hassan of failing to heed advice from experienced military commanders familiar with combat operations and local terrain.
He also alleged that the president had interfered in matters concerning soldiers’ welfare and promotions, saying such actions had negatively affected troop morale.
The former president did not provide specific evidence for the allegations in his statement.
His comments come amid continuing insecurity and political tensions in South West state, where fighting has been reported around Buurhakaba and other areas of Bay region. The conflict has raised concerns about the safety of government forces and the wider impact of renewed violence on local communities.
Sharif outlined a series of demands aimed at addressing the repeated military losses and improving conditions for serving soldiers and their families.
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He called for a transparent, independent investigation to establish the causes of the casualties and identify anyone responsible for negligence or issuing orders that contradicted professional military advice.
He also urged authorities to protect the independence of the military command from political interference, arguing that such involvement had damaged confidence, operational planning and soldiers’ safety.
A further demand was the creation of a national programme to provide medical care and support for wounded soldiers, as well as assistance for the parents, orphans and families of troops killed while defending the country.
Sharif also called for the restoration of rights and benefits that he said had previously been withheld from military personnel and their families.
He warned against using the armed forces to pursue individual political objectives at the expense of soldiers’ lives, future prospects and family welfare.
“It is unacceptable for the lives of young people serving in the national army to be wasted in the pursuit of personal political ambitions, without regard for their safety, their future or the rights of their families,” he said.
The Somali government has yet to respond publicly to Sharif’s allegations in the statement.
Somalia’s federal forces continue to face security challenges as they conduct operations against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group that has waged an insurgency against the government for more than a decade.
Sharif’s statement adds to mounting political scrutiny over military leadership, accountability and the treatment of soldiers as fighting continues in parts of southern Somalia.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
