Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sacked the country’s Chief Justice Baashe Yusuf Ahmed and appointed Ibrahim Idle Suleiman as his replacement, the presidency said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the presidency said the decision took into account complaints raised by judges, judicial personnel and legal professionals concerning the need for a more transparent and impartial justice system.
The complaints related to the need to establish “a transparent and fair judiciary”, the statement said.
President Mohamud had consequently decided to pursue “comprehensive reforms of the judicial institutions” to ensure Somali citizens could access “a transparent and reliable justice system”, it added.
The president wished the newly appointed chief justice success in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to him, while stressing the importance of protecting judicial independence, upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice.
Supreme Court ruling on Galmudug elections
Baashe’s is widely remembered for presiding over the Supreme Court ruling in August concerning elections in the Galmudug regional administration.
The court had ruled that the elections held on 30 July for Galmudug’s House of Representatives and local councils had violated the federal constitution and national electoral law, declaring the results invalid.
It ordered the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to organise fresh elections within the earliest practicable timeframe, in accordance with the constitution, electoral legislation and relevant regulations.
The court also directed existing officeholders to remain in their positions until their successors were elected through a legally compliant process, citing the public interest and the need to maintain continuity in government services.
A return to the Supreme Court after eight years
Ibrahim Idle Suleiman’s appointment marks his return to the leadership of Somalia’s Supreme Court, eight years after he was removed from the position by former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.
Farmaajo dismissed Suleiman from the position on 27 May 2018 and appointed Baashe Yusuf Ahmed as his replacement, according to an announcement published by Somali state media at the time.
The then presidency said the decision followed complaints from citizens, judges, judicial personnel and legal professionals calling for a transparent and fair justice system.
Farmaajo said the appointment of Baashe was in response to his pledge to establish a judiciary based on “transparency and justice”, according to the 2018 presidential statement.
Baashe subsequently led the Supreme Court until his removal on Wednesday, when Suleiman was appointed to the position he previously held.
Judicial reform
The latest changes come as the presidency outlines plans for wide-ranging reforms of Somalia’s judicial institutions, with the stated aim of strengthening transparency, accountability and public confidence in the administration of justice.
President Mohamud has urged the new chief justice to safeguard judicial independence and uphold the rule of law, according to the presidential statement.
