Former Somali Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdirizak recently revealed an incident that underscores the erratic nature of Villa Somalia’s foreign policy under former President Farmaajo. In late 2021, Abdirizak secured humanitarian aid from Egypt to address Somalia’s worsening crisis. However, when Egypt arranged for a military aircraft to deliver the supplies, Villa Somalia abruptly requested a civilian plane instead, fearing the optics might alarm Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed amid tensions over the Nile dam. The decision surprised Cairo and led to a personal row between Abdirizak and Somalia’s leadership. Abdirizak, a U.S. national with presidential ambitions, has a long diplomatic career but was no stranger to the complexities of Somalia’s politics. While foreign minister, he championed an anti-Kenya stance, supported Farmaajo’s mandate extension, and promoted “African solutions for African problems” in regional disputes.