This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo made a significant move by renouncing his American citizenship, a decision that has sparked both praise and skepticism in the country.
According to sources, President Farmaajo had acquired his US citizenship by naturalisation after serving as a Somali diplomat in the United States. However, with this decision, he has now relinquished his dual nationality status, a move that is seen as a bid to boost his nationalistic credentials ahead of the 2020 elections.
Speaking on the matter, President Farmaajo stated, "I am proud to serve my people and always believe in their potential to rebuild this nation. I am neither discouraged by our past, nor daunted by the enormity of the task ahead."
Dr. Abdiwahab Sheikh, a commentator on Horn of Africa issues, believes that the president's move was a step in the right direction, saying it will boost his campaign and earn him a political lifeline.
However, the decision has also raised concerns about the president's ability to travel to the United States, particularly for international events such as the annual UN General Assembly meetings. According to Saed Faadi, a Somali governance expert, President Farmaajo may have been unable to travel to the US on a diplomatic passport, and if he travelled on an ordinary American passport, he couldn't easily secure clearance to the conference halls.
Despite the controversy surrounding his decision, President Farmaajo is facing a bigger battle in the federal states, where some have suspended ties with Mogadishu over alleged meddling or criticised him for sponsoring opponents against sitting federal state leaders.
The disputes have stalled constitutional review talks, key to holding a one-man-one vote election planned for 2020. In Jubbaland, which will hold local elections on August 24, President Farmaajo has been at loggerheads with incumbent federal President Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, on the composition of the key elders' council and rules for candidates that placed exorbitant fees on contestants.
