In the 21st century alone, Palmyra, Tigray, the Buddhas of Bamiyan, Odessa, and Khartoum, and many more besides, have all borne witness to targeted cultural violence, wiping out centuries and millennia of worship, artefacts, and unique histories that can never be reclaimed. Some have been targeted for theological or religious reasons– such as the ancient sites in Palmyra by Daesh– or part of a broader genocidal attempt to stamp out a civilisation– as was the case in Tigray– or simply greed– like the looting of the Khartoum museums by the Rapid Support Forces. But in many cases, it denotes a rewriting of history, an attempt by a political movement or armed group to coerce and impose their particular vision for the country on the objects, buildings, and cultural identities that comprise it.
After months of delays, Somalia’s indirect elections concluded with the swearing-in of the 11th Parliament on April 14. The process, marred by manipulation and backroom deals, delivered a legislature dominated by young, inexperienced members, with over 60% under 40 and far below the promised 30% quota for women. Many MPs owe their seats to political patrons like Federal Member State leaders and former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, rather than merit or competitive elections. A striking feature is the presence of at least 35 security officials, including active-duty National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officers, raising concerns over parliamentary impartiality. The early sessions have already been chaotic, with MPs storming the podium, political boycotts, and even mortar attacks failing to halt proceedings.
The case of Ikraan Tahlil, a pioneering National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) cybersecurity analyst, has become both a political flashpoint in Somalia and a symbol of the fragile gains women have made in the country. Recruited in 2017 on merit, Ikraan rose to head NISA’s cybersecurity division an exceptional achievement in a male-dominated field. Her murder has not only sparked a constitutional crisis between President Farmaajo and Prime Minister Roble but also raised deeper questions about the durability of women’s rights in fragile states. Her story echoes recent events in Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s return to power swiftly reversed two decades of progress for women, replacing female-led ministries with male-only leadership and banning most women from public roles. Like the Taliban, Al-Shabaab’s extremist ideology offers no space for women like Ikraan to hold high-ranking positions in the public security sector. The Somali government and its international partners must ensure that any future political settlement with Al-Shabaab protects and advances women’s rights, particularly in sectors where they have historically been underrepresented. Ikraan’s legacy underscores that a peace which sidelines half the population is neither just nor sustainable.
Ikraan Tahlil, a young and dedicated NISA officer, vanished on 26 June 2021, triggering a chain of political events that would plunge Somalia into crisis. Known for her work liaising between NISA and the Banadir Regional Authority, Ikraan’s disappearance was followed by conflicting reports, with the government initially claiming she was abducted and killed by Al-Shabaab an allegation swiftly denied by both her family and the group itself. As public outrage mounted, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble demanded a transparent investigation, clashing with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and then NISA director Fahad Yasin. Roble’s dismissal of Fahad deepened the standoff, with Farmaajo countering by appointing his own loyalists to key security positions. Ikraan’s family pursued legal action against senior NISA officials, further inflaming tensions. The political rift has since evolved into a constitutional crisis, with the threat of a no-confidence motion against Roble and potential violence looming.
Somalia’s political tensions have escalated following outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s controversial decision to appoint a commission of inquiry into the murder of NISA agent Ikraan Tahliil. The killing, believed to be politically motivated, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing power struggle with Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. Critics argue the move undermines transparency by placing the investigation under executive control, potentially shielding key figures such as former NISA chief Fahad Yasin. Farmaajo’s attempts to retain loyalists and his resistance to Fahad’s dismissal have backfired, enabling Roble to consolidate power and public support. The loss of Fahad long regarded as Farmaajo’s key political strategist and foreign funding link has weakened the president’s re-election prospects. Meanwhile, speculation grows over potential parliamentary maneuvers, including a no-confidence motion against Roble, that could trigger a constitutional crisis.
Somalia’s fragile political stability faces renewed turbulence following outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s controversial move to appoint a commission of inquiry into the murder of National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) agent Ikraan Tahliil. The case, widely believed to be politically motivated, has shaken public trust and intensified the power struggle between Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. Critics argue that shifting the investigation back under the executive branch will compromise transparency and shield high-level figures, including former NISA chief Fahad Yasin, from accountability. Farmaajo’s resistance to Fahad’s dismissal and subsequent attempts to install loyalists have been met with firm opposition from Roble, who has gained significant political ground. Fahad’s removal is a major blow to Farmaajo’s re-election prospects, as it disrupts his financial and strategic support network from foreign allies such as Qatar and Turkey.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has emerged stronger in Somalia’s ongoing power struggle with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. This week’s dramatic events in Mogadishu, centered on the leadership of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), revealed a decisive shift in the balance of power. Farmaajo deployed Eritrean-trained Duufaan forces to secure NISA headquarters for his appointee, Yasin Farey, but two NISA-affiliated units defected, siding with Roble’s choice, General Bashir Goobe. This move is expected to result in Gen Goobe’s installation as temporary NISA Director General. Farmaajo’s influence has sharply declined, limited to a small coalition of MPs and regional allies. His position has been further undermined by the Ikraan Tahlil murder case, in which the victim’s family has filed charges against senior security figures, including Farmaajo’s close ally, Fahad Yasin. With public and opposition support rallying behind Roble, Fahad’s political future is in doubt.