A Statesman Undermined: In Defence of Professor Jawaari's Legacy
By: Hon. Hassan Haji | Date: 23/08/2025 | Email: hassan.haji@me.com | Tel: +252612399777
I write this memo with profound disappointment and indignation at the public slander directed at the late Professor Mohammed Sheikh Osman Jawaari by Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Ahmed Fiqi. With arrogant superiority, Minister Fiqi’s remarks belittle a revered statesman whose legacy of integrity and unity remains a cornerstone of Somali governance. Such disrespect cannot go unchallenged, and this piece seeks to defend and celebrate Professor Jawaari’s monumental contributions to our nation.
The passing of Professor Mohammed Sheikh Osman Jawaari marks not only the loss of a distinguished leader but also the silencing of a moral compass in Somali governance. A scholar, reformer, and patriot, Jawaari embodied integrity, unity, and institutional dignity. His final chapter as a public servant was as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament. He transformed a fractured legislature into a beacon of transparency and accountability, laying a foundation for democratic progress. Jawaari’s service spanned every era of Somali governance, civilian, military, transitional, and federal, marked by unwavering principle. Facing an unlawful no-confidence motion orchestrated by the executive branch, he chose resignation over confrontation, sacrificing power to preserve institutional stability.
This selfless act alone merits everlasting reverence. Yet, despite his monumental contributions to Somali governance and national unity, Professor Jawaari remains conspicuously unrecognised by the Somali government. No airport, road, or school bears his name.
No institution, such as a Jawaari School of Governance, exists to inspire future leaders with the values of integrity and unity he so steadfastly championed. This lack of recognition is a profound oversight. Worse still, his legacy has been tarnished by Minister Ahmed Fiqi’s grossly inappropriate remarks, which cynically reduced Jawaari to mere clan affiliation and falsely portrayed him as someone desperate to cling to power. In truth, Jawaari dedicated his life to serving Somalia, even into his retirement years, with unwavering commitment.
It is both foolish and ignorant to suggest his passing was marked by disappointment. Such comments are not only inaccurate but deeply disrespectful to a politician whose lifelong devotion to national unity transcended tribalism and factionalism. Fiqi’s words dishonour a figure revered across generations and political divides, undermining Jawaari’s enduring contributions to governance, reconciliation, and institutional integrity.
Restoring Jawaari’s dignity requires more than an apology. Minister Fiqi must resign or be dismissed. His remarks are not merely inappropriate; they are an embarrassment to the government and a betrayal of the institutions he serves. By diminishing a national icon, Fiqi has disgraced himself and cast a shadow over Somalia’s leadership. His ongoing tenure signals that division and disrespect are acceptable in public service. Stepping aside is not just honourable, it is necessary.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud himself sought Jawaari’s counsel on critical national matters, entrusting him with drafting pivotal documents that remain foundational. Jawaari’s wisdom was not ornamental; it was essential. To truly honour him, Somalia must institutionalise his legacy. Let his name grace the nation’s infrastructure. Let his principles guide future public servants. Let us remember Professor Jawaari not merely as a former Speaker but as a cornerstone of Somali governance, a beacon of integrity whose legacy must be protected, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of the nation’s future.