Hassan Ali Khaire: Somalis around the world react after former PM announces he will contest presidency

Spread the love

The announcement by former Somalia prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire that he will be challenging incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has elicited reactions among Somalis around the world.

Khaire made the announcement on his social media accounts on Saturday, September 12.

“After long thinking and consultations, I will like to share with you my candidature for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Somalia. With complete understanding of the opportunities and challenges with regards to the kind of leadership our country needs now and in the future, I once again put myself up to serve my people with proficiency, integrity and honesty,” Khaire said in the statement

Fikir iyo talo wadaag dheer, kaddib waxaan halkan idinkula wadaagayaa musharaxnimadayda jagada Madaxwaynaha JFS. Anigoo si dhab ah u fahamsan fursadaha iyo caqabadaha la xiriira hoggaaminta iyo waxqabadka dalkeennu u baahan yahay maanta iyo mustaqbalkaba#AmmaanoIyoAdeeg pic.twitter.com/Fcx4x2AqEC
— Hassan Ali Khaire (@HassanAKhaire) September 12, 2020

In July 25, 2020, Somalia’s Parliament impeached Hassan Ali Khaire after he fell out with President Farmajo.

Legislators voted 170-8 to remove the PM.

Khaire had served as the prime minister from 2017, he had gained popularity from the Somali people and the international community which expressed anger after his removal.

Majority of Somalis now believe Khaire’s candidature will dent Farmajo’s reelection bid.

😂😂😂😂 Sponsoring his ouster was the worst political suicide Farmaajo ever made. Khaire comeback into political arena means zero chances for Farmaajo re-election, no wonder his trolls are bitter for they know their boss has already lost.
Dictator Abiy is Next in the chamber. pic.twitter.com/B79OBpOrdM
— مانسا موسى (@Mansa_MUSSE) September 12, 2020

https://twitter.com/WaliK100/status/1304853850327789569

https://twitter.com/WaliK100/status/1304871951303872512

A section of Somalis believe Khaire will struggle to defeat Farmajo with some questioning his credibility during his time as prime minister.

Questions to ask vis-à-vis the candidature of Khaire:

-Will he become the least appealing candidate due to his political conduct or a beneficiary of "sympathy" votes?

-Does he have any political friends?

-Can he really counter the many political nemesis he created for himself?
— Abdimalik Abdullahi (@Abdimaleik) September 12, 2020

Ex-PM Khaire declares intent to challenge Farmajo in elections. Two problems with a Khaire candidature:

*His abrasive style alienated many influential forces.
*Khaire was country's most powerful PM, given remarkable latitude by Farmajo. So Farmajo's record also Khaire's record. pic.twitter.com/FGb8Q8xeEb
— Rashid Abdi (@RAbdiAnalyst) September 13, 2020

Good news!The FAILED N&N regime has started to slowly sink down.Khaire has decided that he will not go down alone but must fall with his former boss,Failure Farmaajo.His announcement to run for presidency marks the beginning of the end of the rotten regime! pic.twitter.com/PWU1KKiD5r
— Hassan Ali Ahmed (@Ahmed_Mudug) September 13, 2020

A well-placed source confirm to me that @M_Farmaajo is planning to indict @HassanAKhaire for corruption, theft and public embezzlement.

Some of Khaire’s close advisors are currently under investigation by the Auditor General and their emails are hacked for review. pic.twitter.com/fvsv8EM9Hw
— Abdulahi Abdi (@AbdulahiAbdii) September 13, 2020

Now that he wants votes, Khaire acknowledges the important roles of successive governments. He knows his sins. No more “for the first time in 28 years” BS. Khaire being the loneliest man in Somali politics, i would be surprised if he gets more than 3 votes in the general election pic.twitter.com/evC5Idg5wY
— Sakariye Cismaan 🎶 (@SakariyeDhegnas) September 13, 2020

I just want to remind everyone khaire is on the board for soma oil who's not a real company.
It’s a shell company with few random guys in its board.
They have no interest in somalia which was to get the rights to those 15 blocks sell it to someone else and cash out. https://t.co/GRsXbmNfPa
— Sayyid Gurrey (@mad_mula) September 12, 2020

Khaire like Farmajo is a discredited and damaged brand. No chance of ever holding a significant office in Somalia.
— Nuur Hassan (@NuurHHassan) September 13, 2020

Khaire has previously worked in the oil industry as an executive.

Khaire has a dual Norwegian citizenship and once worked as a primary school teacher in Norway he also had a job at the Norwegian Refugee Council before joining the British energy explorer, Soma Oil and Gas.

He quit his job at Soma Oil as the executive director for Africa to take up the job of the prime minister of Somalia.

Khaire comes from the influential Hawiye clan and his appointment as PM was meant to appease them.