Somalia’s political landscape, long defined by instability, clan power-sharing, and transitional governments, now faces a different kind of problem: the rise of a self-styled political elite. Over the years, the same names and faces keep coming back to the forefront, portraying themselves as irreplaceable — as though Somali politics cannot exist without them.
But is this persistence a sign of political maturity, or the formation of a new, entrenched political class that risks suffocating Somali democracy?
The Same Faces, Over and Over Again
Look at Somalia’s recent history and one thing is clear: the pool of political contenders has become increasingly narrow. Former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmaajo,” Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and parliamentary figures like Sheikh Aden Madobe keep reappearing in the political cycle.
Even when out of office, they remain influential — maneuvering through alliances, lobbying international backers, and presenting themselves as the only capable guardians of the state. The effect is that Somali politics often feels like a carousel of familiar figures rather than a system open to new voices.
The Myth of the “Irreplaceable Leader”
This emerging class of political elites projects an image of indispensability. They portray themselves as uniquely experienced, internationally recognized, and thus untouchable. But beneath that image lies a dangerous narrative: that Somalia cannot move forward without the same recycled leaders at the helm.
This mindset serves their personal interests but undermines the very idea of democracy. In truth, Somalia is a country of millions of capable citizens — entrepreneurs, professionals, and a massive youth population — yet its leadership pipeline remains hostage to a few figures who cling to power.
The Cost of Political Recycling
This elite continuity comes with heavy costs:
- Stagnation: The same leaders mean the same policies, the same failures, and the same excuses.
- Exclusion: Somalia’s youth — over 70% of the population — see politics as closed to them.
- Clan Entrenchment: The 4.5 power-sharing system ensures these elites are propped up by clan structures rather than merit.
- International Enabling: Foreign partners often back “familiar faces” for the sake of convenience, reinforcing the dominance of this small circle.
Instead of opening space for innovation and reform, Somalia risks falling deeper into a political monopoly — one where leadership is recycled, not renewed.
A Warning Sign for Somali Democracy
If this trend continues, Somalia may find itself ruled not by institutions, but by a political aristocracy: a small group of elites who believe they are above replacement. This is not democracy. This is stagnation dressed up as stability.
The reality is that no leader is irreplaceable. Somalia does not need a handful of repeat faces claiming permanent ownership of the state. What it needs is new leadership, new energy, and leaders who see power as a responsibility — not an inheritance.
Final Thought
The question is no longer whether Somalia has elections or not — it’s whether those elections can actually produce new leaders. Right now, Somalia risks becoming a country where elections simply reshuffle the same handful of elites who refuse to step aside.
Unless this cycle is broken, Somalia’s future will remain trapped in the hands of a self-proclaimed political class that has overstayed its welcome.
This version is deliberately sharp and confrontational — framing the repeat leaders as obstacles, not stabilizers.
Do you want me to also add a call-out section naming a few “rising figures” who could break this cycle, so the post doesn’t just critique but also points toward possible alternatives?
You said:
add how this new class also creates wealth class through looting and missappropriating public funds and assets
ChatGPT said:
Here’s the hard-hitting revised version of your blog post, now including the point about how this entrenched political class isn’t just recycling power but also creating a wealth class through looting and misappropriation of public funds and assets.
Is There a New Political Class Forming in Somalia?
Somalia’s politics has always been turbulent, but today a different danger is emerging: the rise of a self-styled political elite. Over the years, the same names and faces keep resurfacing in the country’s leadership — projecting themselves as irreplaceable, untouchable, and indispensable.
But beneath the surface of this continuity lies something more alarming: the formation of a political class that not only monopolizes power but also builds wealth for itself by looting public resources and misappropriating state assets.
The Same Faces, Over and Over Again
Somali politics increasingly feels like a closed club. Presidents and former presidents — Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmaajo,” Sharif Sheikh Ahmed — alongside parliamentary figures like Sheikh Aden Madobe — keep coming back to the political stage. Even when out of power, they remain in the system, maneuvering through alliances and controlling levers of influence.
Instead of making way for new leaders or innovative governance, Somali politics has become a carousel of familiar elites, ensuring that political authority never escapes their grip.
Power and Wealth Hand in Hand
What makes this emerging political class even more dangerous is its role in accumulating wealth through the state. Many of these leaders and their networks benefit not from building industries or creating opportunities for citizens, but from:
- Looting state institutions through inflated contracts and ghost projects.
- Misappropriating donor aid intended for development, turning it into political war chests.
- Privatizing public assets for personal or clan gain, while the majority of Somalis remain in poverty.
- Exploiting their positions to secure businesses, land, and banking connections inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
The result is not just a political class, but also a wealth class: a small elite that lives in luxury off the back of public resources, while the average Somali struggles to afford food, water, healthcare, or education.
The Myth of the “Irreplaceable Leader”
These figures portray themselves as indispensable — the only ones who can lead Somalia. But in truth, their dominance is built on control of wealth and networks of patronage, not on performance or vision.
By recycling the same elite and keeping wealth concentrated, Somali politics has become more about protecting elite interests than delivering for the people. This has left a system where ordinary Somalis are asked to sacrifice while politicians enrich themselves.
The Cost of Political Recycling
The entrenchment of this class has severe consequences:
- Stagnation: Somalia is trapped in the same policies, the same failures, and the same excuses.
- Inequality: Leaders build wealth while citizens remain poor, widening the gulf between rulers and the ruled.
- Exclusion: Youth, women, and reformers are locked out of politics and economic opportunity.
- International Enabling: Foreign actors often prefer “familiar faces,” making them complicit in reinforcing elite dominance.
Instead of democracy serving citizens, it has become a vehicle for enrichment for a small, powerful class.
A Warning for Somalia’s Future
Somalia risks consolidating into a state ruled not by institutions, but by a political aristocracy — a small circle of elites who hoard both power and wealth. This is not democracy. This is elite capture of a fragile state.
Unless this cycle is broken, Somalia will remain stuck in a system where elections change faces at the podium, but power and wealth remain in the hands of the same untouchable few.
Final Thought
The real danger is not just recycled politics, but a new political-wealth class that thrives on public looting while presenting itself as irreplaceable. If Somalia is to move forward, this cycle must be challenged.
The country needs leadership that sees power as a trust, not as a shortcut to wealth — and a system that serves citizens, not entrenched elites.