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By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.Mogadishu, Somalia (AXADLE) – Two weeks after the controversial and reportedly humiliating dismissal of his former national security advisor, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed a new official to the key position.
In a statement posted on Villa Somalia’s official Facebook page on Wednesday, the presidency announced the appointment of Ambassador Awes Hagi Yusuf Ahmed as the new National Security Advisor to the President.
“President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Ambassador Awes Hagi Yusuf Ahmed as the National Security Advisor to the President. Ambassador Awes brings extensive experience in governance and national security, having previously held key positions,” the statement read.
Awes, who until recently served as Somalia’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia since 2023, has long been considered a close ally of President Mohamud. He is affiliated with Dam Jadiid, a powerful political faction within the Somali government widely regarded as aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood—an organization banned in several countries including the UAE and Egypt for alleged terrorism links.
During his tenure as ambassador in Riyadh, human trafficking cases involving Somali nationals reportedly surged.
In a major diplomatic embarrassment, Irish authorities in November 2024 arrested a Somali diplomat stationed in Saudi Arabia for alleged involvement in trafficking, forging documents, and distributing Somali diplomatic passports to trafficking networks.
The scandal drew international attention just last month after the Somali diplomat arrested was put on trial in Dublin where he claimed diplomatic immunity.
The president’s office praised Awes for his leadership and expressed confidence in his role in improving security.
“The President, recognizing Advisor Awes for his security and leadership experience, expressed hope that he will play his role in strengthening national security and advancing the government’s strategy in the fight against terrorism,” the statement concluded.
Dramatic Firing of Former Advisor Hussein Sheikh-Ali
Awes replaces Hussein Sheikh-Ali, who had served as National Security Advisor since 2022. His dismissal made headlines after reports alleged that close relatives of the president forcibly locked his office at Villa Somalia and denied him access to his personal belongings, including his laptop.
Sources close to Hussein said he had to appeal to associates of the president to retrieve his locked belongings.
The abrupt firing came in the wake of Puntland authorities seizing a ship from Turkey carrying military cargo destined for Mogadishu.
Puntland alleged that the shipment was intended for terrorist groups and illegal arms dealers operating in Mogadishu.
While the ship was eventually released, the incident raised national and international concerns. Shortly after, Hussein was dismissed without public explanation.
Hussein, who previously advised former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, did not comment publicly on his firing. However, in a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Somalia needs neither silence nor fury. We need moral clarity that feels — and acts.”
Hussein (on the right photo) is also the brother of current Justice Minister Hassan Moalim (on the left photo).
Before joining government, Hussein, a former London taxi driver, worked with the Mogadishu-based think tank Hiraal Institute. He is also the brother of current Justice Minister Hassan Moalim.
In 2016, Moalim’s parliamentary victory allegedly led to a politically linked killing of a clan elder in central Somalia—a case for which the victim’s family still seeks justice.
Both Hussein and Minister Moalim are related to Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, another Dam Jadiid figure who has repeatedly been accused of maintaining ties to the al-Shabaab militant group—an allegation he denies.
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