Former Somali Supreme Court chief says he is threatened in Mogadishu

Baashe Yuusuf Axmed, former president of Somalia’s Supreme Court dismissed by President Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, said on Saturday that he did not feel safe in Mogadishu and disputed the legality of his dismissal. He accused the president of interfering in the judiciary and called for the withdrawal of forces deployed at the Supreme Court headquarters, according to Radio Risaala.

At a press conference in Mogadishu, Baashe said that many soldiers had been sent to the Supreme Court headquarters and said their presence threatened his safety. He called on President Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, Somalia’s head of state, to withdraw the soldiers from the building and accept the decision issued by the Supreme Court on 5 November concerning the terms of federal institutions, according to Shabelle.

Baashe also rejected allegations of links between the Supreme Court and foreign countries. He said these allegations threatened the rule of law and maintained that the judiciary was being subjected to pressure and targeting. The presidency had justified his dismissal by citing complaints from judges, judicial staff and legal professionals concerning the transparency and fairness of the judicial system.

The crisis began with Baashe’s dismissal by Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud on 4 November, announced alongside the appointment of Garyaqaan Ibraahim Iidle Suleymaan to replace him. The Supreme Court challenged the legality of the dismissal the following day, before Baashe called for the withdrawal of 300 soldiers from the Supreme Court headquarters.