Somalia shook things up this Saturday, swapping out their top military brass in a dramatic reshuffle. The cabinet decided to retire Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow from his position as the chief of the armed forces, handing the reins over to Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh.
The mood in Mogadishu was tense during the emergency meeting when this decision was made, reflecting the swirling political unrest in the Horn of Africa. It’s a big callback for Rageh, who’s no stranger to the role, having previously served as the army chief between 2020 and 2023. Back then, he led hard-hitting operations against al-Shabaab, a group with deep ties to al-Qaeda. Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s initiative dubbed the “all-out war,” Rageh spearheaded efforts to curb the group’s menace.
The Prime Minister’s office highlighted that Rageh’s return is all about turbocharging the defense mechanisms of the country and wiping out the “Khawarij groups.” This peculiar term is what the Somali government uses for al-Shabaab militants, who’ve been a thorn in the side of Somali authorities and AU peacekeepers since 2007.
This shake-up is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing friction between Somalia’s federal government and its regional counterparts. Disputes over the election timetable are causing relationships to fray. Just this week, Jubaland decided to break ties with the federal government, joining Northeastern State, which made a similar move in August.
Although there are grumbles from two regional states and dissent from former presidents, the Somali leaders are pushing ahead with plans for direct elections in 2025. This would mark the first time in 56 years that citizens will directly vote for parliament members and state presidents, aiming for this landmark event to take place in September of that year.
Quote from political analyst Ahmed Nur: “These changes could be a strategic maneuver to stabilize the nation, yet it’s clear there’s a long way to go before peace and unity are fully realized.”
This reorganization at the top is happening at a critical juncture. With elections looming and internal divisions widening, there’s an urgent need for decisive leadership and strategic planning. Rageh’s reappointment could signify a renewed focus on national security and possibly a more unified approach to dealing with extremist threats.
In the words of scholar Fatima Abdi, “Somalia stands at a pivotal point, where the decisions made now could shape its future for generations.” As the country navigates these choppy waters, the eyes of the world remain fixed on how it maneuvers this complex interplay of politics, security, and governance.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
