Tuesday November 4, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports on
Monday submitted a case to the Office of the Attorney General against several
senior members of the Somali Olympic Committee (SOC) over alleged misconduct
and violations.
The officials named in the case include SOC Chairman Ahmed
Abdi Hassan (Wataac), Deputy Chairman Duran Ahmed Farah, Secretary-General
Mohamed Abdow Haaji, and Assistant Secretary Farah Ali Moalin.
The ministry said the accused officials will face due legal
process and that the results of the investigation along with subsequent actions
will be communicated to the public transparently.
The move follows the ministry’s decision to suspend SOC
Chairman Wataac and Secretary-General Haaji, citing preliminary findings of
misconduct that allegedly undermined the integrity and governance of the
national sports body.
In response, Chairman Ahmed Abdi Hassan (Wataac) criticized
the minister’s decision, accusing him of overreach and conflict of interest.
Speaking to local media, Wataac said the Somali Olympic Committee is an
independent, self-elected institution that does not receive salaries from the
government.
He alleged that tensions began after the ministry attempted
to seize control of a sports center adjacent to the SOC headquarters, a move he
said the committee opposed.
“When we refused to hand over the center, the minister
issued an illegal letter terminating our positions,” Wataac claimed.
He further alleged that the ministry previously indicated its
buildings center was “no longer needed” and suggested it had been allocated to
businessmen with vested interests.
The dispute marks a deepening rift between the Ministry of
Youth and Sports and the Somali Olympic Committee, potentially impacting
preparations for upcoming regional and international sporting events.