From Kingmaker to Exiled Propagandist: The Fall of Fahad Yasin and the Conspiracies He Left Behind

Nairobi, Kenya – Fahad Yasin, the controversial former Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), has once again stirred political tensions in Somalia through a statement posted on social media platform X. In his post, Yasin alluded to a conspiracy against the Somali National Army, allegedly orchestrated by a Gulf country, and pointed fingers at high-level Somali officials — most notably former Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.

Without naming names, Fahad Yasin accused Mahad Salad, former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, and Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur of sabotaging the Somali National Army. According to Yasin, the military was manipulated to serve the interests of foreign powers and an agenda aligned with Al-Shabaab — though with different objectives.

The strongest response came from the man he most directly targeted: former Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur. In a statement titled “The Exiled Emir of the Kharijites,” Nur laid out in detail how Fahad Yasin allegedly enabled Al-Shabaab from within the state apparatus. He accused Yasin of turning state weapons on Somali citizens, facilitating terrorist financing through government institutions, and collaborating with extremist ideological networks.

Nur’s revelations exposed a deeply embedded, three-year-long subversive plan that operated within the heart of the government. “The fact that I have been appointed minister for the fourth time is proof of the trust my country places in me,” Nur stated, dismissing Yasin’s accusations as a product of personal vendetta and extremist ideology.

The Absurd Contradiction: Yasin Attacks Turkey, While Living in Ankara
Ironically, Fahad Yasin’s veiled accusations suggesting Nur is aligned with Turkey sparked public backlash — particularly because Yasin himself currently resides in Ankara. Despite attacking Turkey rhetorically, he remains in the Turkish capital under self-imposed exile, unable to return to Somalia due to serious allegations and pending legal cases from his tenure as NISA chief.

The contradiction has drawn widespread ridicule, with observers pointing out the inconsistency between his words and actions. While portraying Turkey as a negative influence, he continues to live under its protection — raising doubts about his credibility.

“The Kingmaker Era Is Over”
Commenting on the issue, Professor Hassan Abdi from the Department of Global Development Studies at the University of Toronto offered this perspective:

“Fahad Yasin once played the role of a ‘kingmaker’ in Somali politics — a symbolic achievement for someone from a relatively small clan. But Somali politics has evolved. Today, we need real leaders with their own weight, not behind-the-scenes manipulators. Fahad’s era is over. He has effectively retired.”

As Somalia emerges from one of the most turbulent periods in its security history, the toxic elements that once operated within the state are being exposed. The Somali people can now clearly distinguish between those who serve the nation and those who acted as agents of foreign agendas. Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur’s response not only unmasked treacherous networks, but also reminded the public who truly stands for the country — and who does not.