By - Editor-in-Chief
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MOGADISHU, November 4, 2026 - Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday replaced the head of the Supreme Court, citing complaints from judges and legal professionals, and ordered a sweeping overhaul of the judiciary.
Hassan Sheikh dismissed Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed and appointed lawyer Ibrahim Idle Suleiman in his place, according to a statement from the presidency.
The president acted after complaints from the country’s judges, judicial staff and legal professionals about the need for a fair and impartial justice system, the statement said, without giving details of the complaints.
He decided to carry out broad reforms of judicial institutions so that Somali citizens have access to a fair and trustworthy justice system, the statement added.
Hassan Sheikh wished the new chief justice success and stressed the importance of protecting the independence of the judiciary, upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal justice for all.
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The appointment returns Suleiman to a post he first held from 2016, when Hassan Sheikh named him chief justice during his first term. He was dismissed in May 2018 by then-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who replaced him with Ahmed. After Hassan Sheikh returned to power in 2022, he named Suleiman as his special legal adviser.
The change comes weeks after the Supreme Court under Ahmed annulled the results of parliamentary and local council elections in Galmudug and ordered a fresh vote, ruling that serious violations had undermined the legality and integrity of the July 30 polls. The case had been brought by the Towfiiq Party.
The presidency’s statement did not mention the Galmudug ruling.
Ahmed did not comment publicly on his removal.