Hiiraan Online

Wednesday August 6, 2025

FILE - Former Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirizak Omar Mohamed. The ex-minister recently criticized the federal government for accrediting Ethiopia’s new ambassador despite his past support for Somaliland’s secession.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Petroleum Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed has sharply criticized the Somali federal government for accrediting Ethiopia’s new ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, despite his prior public support for Somaliland’s secession—a move Abdirizak says undermines national sovereignty and exposes a failure in vetting procedures.

In a social media post on Wednesday that quickly gained traction online, Abdirizak described the oversight as a “national scandal” and accused the government of engaging with diplomats who may be advancing hostile agendas.

"It is a huge public blunder and an embarrassment. When the government fails to do the basic task of simply scrutinizing the credentials of foreign diplomats posted in Somalia, you end up dealing with diplomats with nefarious intent," Abdirizak wrote. "This is idiocracy, plain and simple. Smh"

In the tweet posted on Jan. 10, 2024, Dedefo described Somaliland’s 1991 declaration of independence as “liberation from brutal genocidal war by the then regime in Mogadishu” and said the absence of international recognition for Somaliland was “a mockery of history and international law.” The resurfaced tweet has drawn sharp backlash from Somali social media users and lawmakers.

Critics say Dedefo’s appointment is appropriate, particularly because of Ethiopia’s recent tensions with Somalia over a controversial maritime access agreement signed with Somaliland. That deal, which would grant Ethiopia port access through Berbera, was condemned by Mogadishu as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud formally received credentials from Dedefo and seven other foreign envoys during a ceremony at Villa Somalia on Tuesday.