Monday September 22, 2025 [HMC] Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir on Monday condemned the federal government for voting in favour of a United Nations resolution extending sanctions on Iran, calling the decision “political corruption” that betrays Somalia’s values and weakens its national interests.
Somalia was among the countries that did not support a South Korean-led resolution aimed at halting the automatic reimposition of sanctions on Tehran, a process known as the “snapback mechanism.” The measure failed Friday after falling short of the nine votes needed in the 15-member council. Only four nations, China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria, voted in favour of blocking sanctions, while European powers pressed ahead with triggering snapback provisions under the 2015 nuclear deal.
Yasin, who headed Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) until 2021, said the vote was particularly troubling given Somalia’s history of suffering under decades of international sanctions. He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of ignoring that painful past and aligning Somalia with policies harmful to fellow Muslim nations.
“Iran is a Muslim country. For Somalia to support sanctions on a Muslim nation is not a decision that represents the feelings and interests of the Somali people. It is a national disgrace, a sign of shortsightedness, and a dark mark in the history of Somalia’s foreign policy,” Yasin wrote on his X account, formerly Twitter.
“If you cannot support a Muslim country, then at least remain silent and cause it neither harm nor benefit,” he added.
Yasin pointed to Algeria and Pakistan as examples of nations that, despite close ties with the West, have refused to compromise their Islamic values. “Algeria and Pakistan have shown the world that Western alliances do not have to conflict with Islamic principles,” he said.
The sanctions, which will resume at the end of September, include an arms embargo, restrictions on missile development, asset freezes, travel bans and a ban on producing nuclear-related technology. Iran, already reeling from a 12-day war with Israel and a long-running financial crisis, has called the move unjustified and warned it could escalate tensions with the West.
The snapback process is designed to be veto-proof unless the Security Council agrees to block it. Western leaders have argued that Iran failed to meet its commitments under the 2015 accord, while Tehran insists it has allowed nuclear inspections under a deal mediated by Egypt with the International Atomic Energy
SOURCE HIIRAAN ONLINE
