President Mohamud Replaces Supreme Court Chief Justice

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed Supreme Court Chief Justice Baashe Yusuf Ahmed and appointed lawyer Ibrahim Idle Suleiman as his replacement, citing complaints about the performance and transparency of the country’s judicial system.

The presidency announced the changes on Wednesday, saying the decision followed concerns raised by judges, judicial staff and legal professionals over the need for a fairer and more transparent justice system.

Mohamud said Somalia needed broad reforms across its judicial institutions to ensure citizens had access to independent, reliable and impartial justice. He urged the incoming chief justice to uphold judicial independence, respect the rule of law and ensure equal treatment under the law.

Suleiman’s appointment returns him to the leadership of the Supreme Court, a position he previously held before being replaced by Ahmed in 2018. He was first appointed to the post in 2016.

The leadership change comes amid wider debate over judicial independence and the role of the courts in Somalia’s political and constitutional affairs. The Supreme Court has recently handled politically significant disputes, including challenges to regional electoral processes.

The presidency did not provide details of the complaints against Ahmed or outline a timetable for the proposed judicial reforms. It also did not explain the procedures followed in effecting the leadership change.

The new chief justice now faces the task of leading an institution central to the administration of justice and the resolution of legal disputes in a country working to strengthen its state institutions.