Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – Mohamed Abdi Hassan, widely known as Afweyne, has officially resigned from his position as a member of the 11th Federal Parliament of Somalia. The resignation was confirmed by members of his family, although no specific reason for his decision has been made public.
The announcement was first made by his son, Sadiq Afweyne, who shared the news on his Facebook page. In his post, Sadiq stated:
“I hereby declare that my father, MP Mohamed Abdi Hassan (Afweyne), has resigned from his position as a Member of Parliament representing the Galmudug community, especially the people of Adado, for personal reasons.”
Afweyne was elected to Parliament on March 4, 2025, after securing the HOP#248 seat in Dhusamareeb, the administrative capital of Galmudug Regional State. He filled the vacancy left by former MP Saadaq Omar Hassan (commonly known as Saadaq Joon), who relinquished the seat upon his appointment as Deputy Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
MP Afweyne’s resignation now renders the HOP#248 seat vacant once again, stirring political speculation about a possible return of Saadaq Joon. While there are unconfirmed reports suggesting he may seek reinstatement, no official statement has been issued by him or his political allies.
Mohamed Abdi Hassan’s political career has long been shadowed by his controversial past. Born in 1958 in Harardhere, a coastal town in the Mudug region of Galmudug State, Afweyne was once a central figure in Somalia’s piracy network. In the early 2000s, he played a key role in establishing pirate operations along the Somali coast, gaining control of strategic port towns such as Hobyo and Harardhere by 2005. At the peak of his influence, he was regarded as one of the most powerful pirate leaders in Somalia.
His international notoriety led to his arrest in October 2013 at Brussels Airport in Belgium, following an elaborate sting operation. After a lengthy legal process, he was convicted in 2016 by a Belgian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges related to maritime piracy, kidnapping, and organized crime. He was released from prison on December 19, 2024, after completing his sentence.
Afweyne’s unexpected entry into Somali politics following his release had sparked both criticism and curiosity, with many questioning how someone with such a controversial past could re-enter public service. His resignation just months after assuming office has now added a new layer of intrigue to his already complex public image.
The Federal Parliament has yet to issue an official statement regarding the next steps to fill the vacant HOP#248 seat. Meanwhile, the Galmudug constituency, particularly residents of Adado, are watching closely to see who will represent their interests in the national legislature.