Ex-Military Chief: Al-Shabaab’s Subtle Infiltration in Somali Government Troops
Nairobi, Kenya – In a world where shadows often hide unsettling truths, the Somali National Army (SNA) may find itself traversing a landscape riddled with unseen allegiances. Former Chief of Defence Forces, General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin, recently sounded the alarm, suggesting the depths of Al-Shabaab infiltration within the military’s ranks are perhaps more profound—and more troubling—than previously acknowledged.
The general’s sobering reflections come on the heels of a grave incident that rattled military and civilian circles alike—the assassination of Lieutenant Colonel Nur Mohamed Gaabow, a man known affectionately by many as Nur Farey. The streets of Ado-Diidible, nestled between Afgoye and Buure, staged this tragic tale, one marked by betrayal and a haunting sense of loss.
General Muhyiddin did not mince words as he painted a picture of confusion and distrust. “We are in a difficult time where there is no clear distinction between the enemy and the army,” he said. “The enemy is hiding within the ranks of the army in every form.” Such words strike at the heart of an unspoken fear—that the structures meant to protect may harbor hidden threats.
Nur Farey, in his final act, opted for a simple approach. He eschewed the comforts of a protective entourage on that fateful day, choosing instead to face his troops directly, in what may have been an earnest gesture of solidarity. Tragically, it became a meeting underscored by violence, with one disgruntled soldier stepping out of the shadows, metaphorically and literally, to end the commander’s life.
Questions linger: Was this soldier a product of disillusionment within the SNA, or a deliberate plant by Al-Shabaab? The Somali National Army, like a fortress with cracks, presents opportunities for infiltration, especially when internal discord spills into the open.
The Somali National Army’s vulnerability is not without precedent. Previous incidents have highlighted friction caused by low morale and inadequate pay. In the absence of these fundamental stabilizers, who among the forces could stand unyielding against whispers of rebellion or offers of easier paths?
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, addressing the nation, did not shy away from lamenting the loss. His words called for resolution and accountability, propelling a quest to unearth the truth and bring those responsible to justice. Yet, the quest’s success hinges on more than speeches; it requires a recalibration of military ethos and renewed unity in purpose.
Does the specter of Al-Shabaab dim any retreat from its current momentum? The militant group has an infamous history of threading itself through the country’s defenses, leveraging the fragility of systems meant to guard against its creed of chaos. Yet, amidst the rumors and allegations, tangible links to specific army elements remain elusive—a smokescreen of suspicion hangs heavily, but concrete evidence is scarce.
It is a difficult dance of diplomacy and defense that Somalia finds itself performing, each misstep bringing with it potential peril. Here, within the corridors of power and the ranks of the military, decisions made today will sculpt the landscape of tomorrow. “Trust is the glue of life,” author Stephen Covey once mused, and its absence’s implications ripple far and wide.
Somalia stands at a crossroads, its journey difficult but not impossible. As the SNA reflects on its present condition, could this be a moment for transformation, a laying down of mistrust and the crafting of a shared vision drawing strength from the lessons of the past? Time alone will reveal the repercussions of such strategic realignments.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
