Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM) been dubbed the ‘President of the Airport‘—and now Somalia’s controversial leader, HSM, is facing explosive allegations that his international traveling ways are tied to a dark underbelly of women trafficking. Just two years into his second term, Mohamud has racked up more air miles than during his entire first stint in office from 2012 to 2017, leaving critics questioning: what’s really behind his jet-setting lifestyle?
The bombshell dropped in Dublin, Ireland, where a Somali diplomat—reportedly a close ally of Mohamud—was nabbed last November at Dublin Airport after arriving from Abu Dhabi. The senior official, previously based in Saudi Arabia, stands accused of smuggling multiple women into Ireland between September and November 2024. Now languishing in Cloverhill prison, his arrest has thrust Somalia’s government into an international spotlight, raising chilling concerns about how official channels are being exploited by sophisticated smuggling networks.
A Diplomat’s Downfall
Irish authorities, acting on a tip-off, swooped in as the diplomat touched down, uncovering what they claim is a carefully orchestrated operation to traffic vulnerable women across borders. Sources say the official, appointed by Mohamud himself, used his diplomatic clout to dodge scrutiny—until now. The Gardaí, Ireland’s police force, have kept tight-lipped about the suspect’s identity, but whispers in diplomatic circles point to a figure deeply embedded in Mohamud’s inner circle.
This isn’t the first time Mohamud’s name has been linked to trafficking scandals. Back in 2016, during his first term as Somalia’s president, he sparked public anger over what critics branded the ‘Maid Women’ controversy. Allegations swirled that Mohamud’s administration was trafficking Somali women to Saudi Arabia under the guise of domestic work, pocketing cash in exchange for their exploitation. The outrage was deafening—and many believe it cost him the 2017 election. Yet, in a stunning political comeback, he swept back into power in 2022, promising reform. Has anything changed?
The ‘President of the Airport’
Mohamud’s knack for clocking up frequent flyer miles has long raised eyebrows. Since reclaiming the presidency, he’s reportedly traveled more in two years than he did across his entire five-year tenure a decade ago. From secret trips to Nairobi and high-stakes summits in Ankara to cozy meetings in Saudi Arabia, the 69-year-old leader rarely seems at home in Mogadishu. Supporters argue he’s forging vital international alliances to stabilize Somalia’s fragile economy and security. Detractors, however, smell something fishier.
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They’ve ignited a storm of speculation about what—or who—is driving Mohamud’s relentless travel schedule.
From Saudi ‘Maids’ to Dublin Detention
The Dublin arrest has dragged old wounds back into the open. In 2016, Mohamud’s so-called ‘Maid Women’ scheme allegedly saw Somali women shipped to Saudi Arabia as domestic workers, only to face exploitation and abuse. Activists cried foul, accusing the president of turning a blind eye—or worse, profiting from the racket. The backlash was fierce, and when Mohamud lost the 2017 election to Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’, many saw it as a public reckoning.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Dublin diplomat’s detention suggests the trafficking ties may run deeper—and further—than ever suspected. The official’s Saudi base has only intensified scrutiny, given Mohamud’s cozy ties with the kingdom. Could this be the tip of an iceberg stretching from the Horn of Africa to Europe?
HSM Administration Under Fire
Mohamud’s administration has yet to respond to the latest allegations, but the heat is on. Somalia’s president has spent his second term battling Al-Shabaab insurgents, drought, and political infighting—yet the trafficking scandals threaten to overshadow it all. Critics say his frequent jaunts abroad leave little time to tackle the chaos at home, while whispers of corruption and abuse of power refuse to die down.
In Jubaland, a rival Somali state, a judge even issued an arrest warrant against Mohamud in November 2024, accusing him of everything from human rights violations to collaborating with terrorists. Though largely symbolic, it’s a sign of how toxic his reputation has become.
What Next for Somalia?
As Mohamud jets from one capital to the next, the Dublin case looms large. Will Irish investigators unravel a wider network implicating Somalia’s top brass? And can the ‘President of the Airport’ shake off the shadow of trafficking that dogs his every takeoff? For now, the world watches – and Somalia waits for answers.