Ciise Illig

MA. Research & Public Policy @uonbi | BA. Public Admin @SIMADUNIVERSITY

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🇸🇴 UEFA announce Omar Artan to referee UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa in August after being denied access to the USA.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud bears political responsibility for the actions of forces operating under his administration. Somalia needs accountability, respect for the Constitution, and leadership that puts the safety and rights of its people first.

[Hassan Ali Khaire @HassanAKhaire]

For more than 20 hours, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has directed a sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, dozens of respected traditional elders, and other political leaders in Mogadishu.

Heavy weaponry more commonly associated with conventional battlefield operations than densely populated urban areas, including anti-tank weapons, drones, and other military assets, has been deployed against us.

Civilian infrastructure has not been spared. Electricity supplies serving thousands of innocent civilians have been deliberately disrupted, further endangering lives and livelihoods. This conduct constitutes a war crime under international law.

These are weapons entrusted to the Somali state to fight Al-Shabaab, now turned against Somalia’s own leaders and citizens in an unprecedented campaign of political repression and targeted killing.

We will defend ourselves, our communities, and our constitutional rights.

I call upon all military, police, and security commanders to uphold their constitutional oath and refuse unlawful orders. Your duty is to the Constitution and the Somali people, not to the political interests of any individual.

Every unlawful order given and carried out will be documented. All those who commit criminal acts and war crimes will be held personally accountable.

I urge Somalia’s international partners to act immediately.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

Mr. President @HassanSMohamud you only have a few hours left in office, but you still have one chance to do the right thing. Release Sacdiyo Bajaaj & others detained for speaking their minds. A gov should not fear criticism or silence free voices.
Power ends, but history remains.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

As Somalia approaches May 15, 2026, the end of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term, it is vital for political leaders to unite around a shared vision. Building broad consensus now is the only way to ensure a stable transition and protect the country from political uncertainty.

[Mohamed Farmaajo @M_Farmaajo]

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s legal term in office ends on May 15, 2026, and he needs broad consensus and a political agreement to prevent a political and constitutional vacuum.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

Spending time with these incredible children was an absolute joy and a powerful reminder of hope and resilience.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

In my travels around #Somalia #Cadaado I’ve had a truly amazing experience. Spending time with these amazing children has been a massive pleasure.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

@FabrizioRomano

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

Fabrizio Romano, your habitual encomiums to players and coaches starkly belie your conspicuous omission of Omar Abdulkadir Artan, CAF Referee of the Year 2025. This paragon of African refereeing merits unequivocal recognition, not your myopic indifference.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

@FabrizioRomano , your habitual encomiums to players and coaches starkly belie your conspicuous omission of Omar Abdulkadir Artan, CAF Referee of the Year 2025. This paragon of African refereeing merits unequivocal recognition, not your myopic indifference.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

@FabrizioRomano , your habitual encomiums to players and coaches starkly belie your conspicuous omission of Omar Abdulkadir Artan, CAF Referee of the Year 2025. This paragon of African refereeing merits unequivocal recognition, not your myopic indifference.

[Abdirashid Hashi @AnalystSomalia]

The Somali president is busy hassling the diaspora for a $60 visa fee — a community of nearly four million people who sent home about $2 billion in remittances in 2024, accounting for as much as 30–50% of Somalia’s GDP.

What the president doesn’t seem to understand is that the most valuable kind of visitors in global tourism are VFR (Visiting Friends & Relatives) travellers. These are not casual tourists — they are loyal, repeat visitors who bring money, connections, and stability.

In other words: hundreds of thousands of diaspora Somalis visit the country regularly, bumping the economy with millions, if not billions, of dollars. Yet President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, while visibly enraged in a recent video, said verbatim: “You boys and girls, if you carry a foreign passport you are not Somali; you are not Somali; you become Somali with ID, not by how you look or even if you speak the Somali language.”

Notwithstanding that what he says is against the constitution, he also fails to see that countries which understand the power of their overseas citizens consciously market to VFRs — people whose roots are in the country but now live elsewhere — so these visitors return often and pour resources into the economy.

In Ireland, for example, 37% of overseas visitors in 2023 said their main reason for coming was to visit family or friends. India has its OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card — providing lifelong visa-free entry to many Indian-origin people, making them consistent sources of investment, business, and culture. Ethiopia created the Yellow Card for Ethiopians who gave up citizenship; it grants visa-free entry plus rights to live, own property, and work — helping to keep its diaspora engaged and contributing.

Instead of recognizing these strengths, Somalia’s leadership has taken a shortsighted route: alienating the diaspora — people who left under duress but never gave up Somalia.

By questioning their identity and imposing extra hurdles such as forced passports, visa fees, dismissing their citizenship — HSM risks isolating the very group that is Somalia’s biggest source of foreign exchange, investment, and international goodwill.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s reckless statements against Somalis in the diaspora reveal a leader out of touch, lacking the integrity and judgment required for his position.

[Abdirashid Hashi @AnalystSomalia]

President @HassanSMohamud needs to apologize to the 4 million Somalis in the diaspora whose citizenship he has questioned as per the attached video.

He should show them respect, not ridicule. These are the very people who have kept Somalia afloat for 35 years.

Moreover, Hassan’s Mogadishu-holed-up FGS contributed only $369.4 million to Somali society in 2024. By contrast, the very diaspora citizens he disparages sent $2.4 billion in remittances alone.

And that’s not the full picture — the diaspora also injects millions more through investment and tourism. Yet here we are, with a president on video making a hateful, unacceptable statement that history will not forget.

In plain terms: the diaspora he talks down to contributed 650% more to the national economy than his government. He must apologize for his hateful words.

Moreover, smart governments make policy carefully, assessing how it affects their most productive citizens. Countries such as India, Ethiopia, and Eritrea issue ID cards to their diasporas, easing administrative hurdles. These cards supplement passports from their adopted countries and allow overseas citizens to come home without being labeled “foreigners” or forced to pay hefty double visa fees—the very burdens Hassan Sheikh and FMS leaders now impose on Somalis abroad.

By contrast, demanding that one is “only Somali” if holding a Somali passport is discriminatory. Somali citizenship—Somalinimo itself — is attained by blood (jus sanguinis), not by the farce the president is pushing.

And let’s be clear: the Somali citizens he mocks did not leave voluntarily. They were driven out—by warlords and by terror groups.

Apologize Mr. President.

[Abdirahman Abdishakur @AAbdishakur]

The Somali Salvation Forum met with representatives from communities displaced from their land in Mogadishu. These delegates shared harrowing testimonies of suffering, violence, and profound loss. In response, we made a firm commitment to stand in solidarity with them. We further pledged to relentlessly oppose the oppression, systemic injustice, and gross abuse of power and resources perpetrated under President Hassan Sheikh's administration.

[Dahir Hassan @Dahirhasan]

A Successful Week for Somalia’s Energy Sector in Houston, Texas. @DahaShire @SomaliainUSA @MOFASomalia
https://t.co/VEs2gCQBQl

[Abdi Hoosow @abdihoosow]

The real threat to Somalia’s unity isn’t a foreign policy by a foreign country. it’s the vacuum left by its own politicians hellbent on petty, trivial issues and no vision at all which has gone on for decades.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

Let’s be clear: posting pictures with President Trump doesn’t make Somaliland a nation. Somalia, Somaliland, and most Somalis need unity and genuine progress, not propaganda. Recognition or unification must respect Somali self-determination and international diplomacy.

[Ericson Mangoli @ericsonmangoli]

🚨 BREAKING: Calls are intensifying for U.S. to recognize Somaliland's independence, spurred by Senator Ted Cruz's recent letter urging President Donald Trump to take action.

While Trump hinted at a policy review, a source from the State Department states that no formal changes.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

A great milestone by @MoF_Somalia, The launch of the Public Finance Management Digitalization is a bold step towards paperless, transparent, and efficient financial systems in Somalia.

This move will strengthen accountability, save resources, and modernize public finance.

[Ministry of Finance @MoF_Somalia]

.@MoF_Somalia officially launched Public Finance Management Digitalization this week! The lauch of this program marks the kick-off of implementation & rollout of secure digital signature, a landmark step towards a paperless,transparent & efficient financial system in #Somalia.

[BOBI WINE @HEBobiwine]

Marinos endured unimaginable pain in her last days on earth. The last time I checked on her in hospital was particularly difficult. We pray and hope that justice will prevail some day. Fight on, fight on.

[Ciise Illig @ciiseillig]

That’s ridiculous, It raises a hard question: fighting for what? Why take part in a war that kills innocent civilians, including children and women?

[Maryam nuura 🇸🇧 🇸🇴 @maryamnuura]

Abshir Daahir originally of somali origin from Hargeisa in the Somaliland region of Somalia, was confirmed to have died in Gaza during clashes with Hamas. He served in Israel’s special forces. His death is deeply saddening 😓😪😢

[Abdirahman Abdishakur @AAbdishakur]

I strongly condemn the unjust and excessive use of force by security personnel to forcibly displace impoverished families of army personnel in the Horseed camp.

It is a profound disgrace that the very forces entrusted with safeguarding public security and defending the nation against terrorism are instead turning their weapons against fellow soldiers, men who are merely trying to protect their vulnerable families.

The rampant land seizures, orchestrated by corrupt government leaders and avaricious businessmen, have not only tarnished the dignity of the state but also shattered the morale of our armed forces. This betrayal of trust has further eroded public confidence in the government’s ability to uphold justice and protect its citizens.

Such systemic exploitation breeds the very conditions that fuel terrorism. A soldier whose family is rendered homeless and desperate cannot be expected to defend a nation that has abandoned them. When the government preys on its own people, it sows the seeds of instability and extremism.

[Hassan Ali Khaire @HassanAKhaire]

I strongly condemn the attack carried out today by government forces against poor families residing in the club belonging to the Horseed Sports Club in Hodan District. I pray to the Almighty Allah to have mercy on those who lost their lives and to grant a swift recovery to the injured.

It is profoundly regrettable that the Somali National Army trained to protect the people and fight against extremism is being misused under the command of President Hassan Sheikh to kill civilians, seize public land, and forcibly evict vulnerable families.

I once again urge President Hassan Sheikh to immediately halt the unlawful grabbing of public land, the killing of civilians, and the eviction of the poor.