MOGADISHU— In a startling development, an internal investigation conducted by the Somali government has discovered concerning revelations regarding the tenure of Mahad Mohamed Salad, the recently dismissed Somali Intelligence and Security Agency Chief.
The investigation exposed a narrative of power abuse and suspected collusion with businesses to undermine competitors, sending shockwaves through Somalia’s political landscape.
According to a classified report prepared by a task force assigned to investigate allegations against Salad, he was characterized as a figure of fear and infamy, with some security officials going as far as labeling him as “a truly evil figure.” The report alleges Salad’s involvement in a network of violence and blackmail for personal gain.
During his nearly two-year tenure as head of Somalia’s Intelligence Agency, Salad who wielded significant influence, recruited hundreds of secret agents deployed across the country suspected of involvement in nefarious activities. Salad also stands accused of orchestrating attacks on major businesses, notably targeting Hormuud, Somalia’s telecom giant and its subsidiaries.
The attacks, detailed in the confidential report, allegedly involved militants believed to be connected to Salad’s network, aiming to instill fear and disrupt the market, potentially paving the way for Salad’s own new ventures to ascend and challenge Hormuud’s dominance.
Leveraging his influence and state powers, Salad purportedly engaged in coercion and intimidation tactics, threatening companies unwilling to cooperate with being labeled as terrorist financiers and facing relentless pressure under the guise of counterterrorism efforts.
The repercussions of Salad’s alleged actions have been severe for Hormuud with the company experiencing a barrage of attacks on its branches nationwide, alongside targeted assassinations of its employees, resulting in significant financial losses and the tragic assassination of employees. Observers have characterized these moves as strategic blackmail, designed to compel Hormuud into compliance.
The overarching objective, as assessed by observers, appears to be the creation of a favorable environment for Salad’s new telecom and remittance ventures to thrive without competition from Hormuud.
STRATEGIC GAME
According to the lengthy report, the former Somali Spy Chief, whose duty was to combat terrorism, has instead exploited the newly enacted counterterrorism laws which he pushed hard to be approved by the parliament to further his own interests.
Reports suggest that he exploited these laws, using them as a guise to manipulate the system in favor of his newly established telecom company, while simultaneously stifling the interests of well-established rivals who held dominance in the business sphere.
Salad also reportedly used his position of authority to enact arbitrary measures, targeting competitors under the guise of national security concerns.
This egregious abuse of power has raised serious questions about the integrity of Somalia’s security apparatus and its ability to effectively combat terrorism without falling prey to corruption and self-serving agendas.
According to the experts, the implications of this scandal extend beyond the borders of Somalia, casting a shadow over the global fight against terrorism — and noted that by exploiting counterterrorism laws for personal gain, the former Intelligence Chief has undermined the legitimacy of legitimate efforts to combat extremism and terrorism worldwide.
The report by panel of investigators also highlighted that the scandal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the need for transparency, accountability and ethical leadership in the realm of national security.
THE DARK NEXUS
The damning investigation has also unveiled a troubling saga of power abuse and manipulation within Somalia’s business landscape, exposing Salad’s vested interests in monopolizing the lucrative telecommunications and remittances sector by resorting to coercive tactics to crush rivals. The revelations have cast a harsh light on the depths of corruption plaguing a nation besieged by endemic graft and a faltering rule of law.
In the country marred by chaos, disputes between companies often escalate into violence, with intimidation and force prevailing over negotiation and legal recourse.
Tensions escalated dramatically when Hormuud accused the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) of a raid on its headquarters in Bakara market, Mogadishu.
In a retaliatory exchange, NISA leveled accusations of ties to al-Shabab against Hormuud, sparking a public spat that captured the attention of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ultimately unveiled Salad’s involvement in the fierce business competition.
As the rivalries reached a boiling point, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ordered an internal investigation into Salad’s role in the business rivalry, that led to his dismissal from the Agency.
The accusations against Salad underscore the complex interplay between power, politics and business interests in Somalia, raising concerns about the stability of the market and the safety of enterprises operating within the region.
Meanwhile, suspicions over Salad’s ties with the terrorist group al-Shabab have long been a matter of scrutiny, with the former Intelligence Chief Fahad Yasin warning President Mohamud against Salad’s appointment due to his alleged allegiance to the group. Yasin’s concerns regarding Salad’s nomination underscored the grave threat posed to national security and state secrets.
In their concluding remarks, the panel of investigators has emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms to cleanse the business arena of misconduct and rebuild trust in the country’s governance structures.
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