Unresolved Inquiry: The Enigma of Somalia's Prime Minister's Identity

Visits: 6025
(Rating 0.0/5 Stars) Total Votes: 0
0 0
Share via Social Media

Unresolved Inquiry: The Enigma of Somalia's Prime Minister's Identity

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER / KAAB TV) – Somalia, a nation marred by political complexities, remains in the global spotlight for reasons extending beyond its conflict-ridden history. In a recent revelation, questions have arisen about the identity o

Share

Hamze (also known as Hamas) Abdi Barre, is the Somali prime minister. He maintains two birthdates and birthplaces.

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER / KAAB TV) – Somalia, a nation marred by political complexities, remains in the global spotlight for reasons extending beyond its conflict-ridden history. In a recent revelation, questions have arisen about the identity of the country's prime minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, suggesting a perplexing saga of dual identities and questionable documents.

This intricate investigation was set in motion by an incident that stirred significant controversy. It all began when a report about the prime minister’s identification documents surfaced, triggering a chain of events that eventually led to the involvement of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in matters of journalistic censorship.

The journalist at the forefront of this revelation was Abdalle Mumin, the Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate. Mumin’s exposé became the epicenter of online attacks, compelling Facebook to remove the article on the grounds of "privacy.”

Mumin, undeterred by these actions, firmly asserted, "The Somali people deserve to know the truth about the identity and the history of those who rule their country.”

Unveiling the Enigma: Birthplace and Birthdate

Our investigative team delved deeper into this enigma, seeking clarity amid a cloud of ambiguity. What emerged from our meticulous research was a striking contrast between official documents.

According to an Ethiopian passport, Hamza Abdi Barre, originally known as "Hamas,” was born in the town of Birkot, Ethiopia, on September 11, 1981. This revelation carries historical weight, as it places his birth amid the aftermath of the Ogaden conflict, a turbulent period that witnessed significant loss of life and displacement as the Ethiopian defeated then Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) led by Yusuf Dheere Mohamed Sugaal that launched an insurgency against the Ethiopian government in the Ogaden region beginning in February 1977.

However, the Somali national identification card tells a different tale. According to this document, Hamza "Hamas” was born in Kismayo, Somalia, on October 10, 1974. The divergence in birth dates and places raises fundamental questions about the authenticity of these records.

Before ascending to his current position as prime minister, Hamza Abdi Barre served as the chair of the electoral body in Jubbaland regional state, a position favored by his fellow clansman Ahmed Madobe, during the 2021/2022 elections. His public service history adds complexity to the narrative, considering the implications of dual identities on his political career.

The National Identity Card Conundrum

The backdrop to this investigation includes Somalia’s recent launch of its first national identity card, aimed at preventing non-Somali individuals with criminal or terrorist affiliations from obtaining Somali national documents, and to "enhance security”, according to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This context intensifies the significance of the prime minister’s conflicting identity documents.

In our pursuit of clarity, our investigative team reached out to various sources for insights into this confounding case. An official at the Ethiopian immigration department disclosed that instances of Somali individuals fraudulently claiming Ethiopian birth certificates to acquire Ethiopian passports have been detected and addressed.

"Several of such individuals were blocked, detained and taken to the court,” the officer said.

Ibrahim Haji, a former Somali interior ministry official, shed light on a broader cultural trend among Somalis, explaining, "When the civil war broke out, many Somalis fleeing to Europe and the U.S. falsified their birthdates to gain social benefits or secure visas as dependents of unrelated families.”

The Unanswered Questions

The core dilemma revolves around the prime minister’s dual identities and conflicting birth details. Is the data on Hamza’s Ethiopian passport accurate, or does the Somali identification card hold the truth?

In the spirit of transparency and public interest, we reached out to the prime minister’s spokesperson, Farhan Jimale, for clarification. However, Mr. Jimale, who himself holds British citizenship, declined to address our inquiries.

As we navigate through this intricate web of identity and documentation, the enigma surrounding Somalia’s prime minister endures, leaving us with unanswered questions and a quest for truth that remains shrouded in secrecy.