MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – In a surprising and controversial move, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announced the appointment of General Bashir Mohamed Jama (popularly known as Bashir Goobe) as the new Minister of Family and Human Rights.
This appointment followed the renaming of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights to the Ministry of Family and Human Rights, effectively removing “women” from its title.
General Bashir Goobe, a former police officer turned spy agency chief, previously served as the commander of the Custodial Corps of Somalia.
During his tenure which began early 2015, he oversaw the rape of women prisoners held at Mogadishu Central Prison. This gross violation, widely reported at the time, was referred to the Mogadishu court but was subsequently covered up due to the influence of then-President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
After the victims became pregnant, the case was referred to the court, resulting then Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir to announce a full investigation and commitment to justice.
Abdisalam Yusuf, a longtime friend of General Goobe, recalled this disturbing incident.
“Even though the case was widely reported and the then-government attorney general admitted and promised justice, nothing was done. General Goobe was later promoted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,” he said.
Abdisalam and others believe that General Goobe’s appointment as the new minister signals that the Somali federal government does not care about women’s rights, especially those subjected to sexual violence.
Local human rights groups argue that in Somalia, rapists and their accomplices often go unpunished, and if they hold high-profile positions, they are rewarded while the victims are usually targeted with jail or persecution.
Deqo Adam, a prominent activist, described General Bashir Goobe’s appointment as an insult to Somali women and called on members of Parliament to boycott.
“I call all MPs to boycott this appointment, and no woman should work with General Goobe. No woman should visit his ministry or his office. We have to boycott him,” she urged during a discussion on X Space on Sunday.
“To God we belong, to God we return. The country has regressed, there is no hope,” said a university student in Mogadishu Mohamed Ahmed while reacting on the appointment on Saturday.
Furthermore, General Bashir Goobe has recently taken on a parliamentary position after his wife, Sahro Olad Abdi, resigned under massive pressure. This dual role has raised further concerns about his influence and the erosion of women’s representation in government.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM) expressed their strong opposition, condemnation, and deep sadness over the appointment of General Bashir Goobe.
“Mr. Prime Minister, it is unfortunate that in a Cabinet composed of 75 members, only 9 (12%) were women, and as of yesterday, women have lost one minister and one state minister, reducing their representation to 7 (9%),” they stated.
The Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM), representing nearly 8,000 Somali women dedicated to protecting women’s rights, emphasized the detrimental impact of replacing women in government positions with men.
“The positions held by Somali women that have now been given to men are a significant step backward for gender equality in our country,” the SGEM letter continued.
The controversy surrounding General Bashir Goobe’s appointment highlights the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Somalia and the broader issues of accountability and justice for victims of sexual violence.
The response from activists, human rights groups, and concerned citizens underscores the urgent need for meaningful reforms to protect and empower Somali women in all spheres of life.