Somali Government Reinstates General Odowa Raage as Leader of the Somali National Army
In the heart of Mogadishu, a hotspot of brewing strategies, the Somali Council of Ministers recently convened in a swift and decisive meeting held on Sunday night, a meeting that led to reshuffling some top military brass. Their resolution? Welcome back General Odowa Yusuf Raage as the head honcho of the Somali Armed Forces, sending General Ibrahim Muhyiddin to the sidelines. Straight from the chambers of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s office came the announcement, stamping the ministry’s approval for General Raage’s comeback.
“It’s all about picking up the pace in our defense strategies,” said the Defense Ministry’s proposal, which seemed to be the lifeline for this decision. The intent is crystal clear: ramp things up against the notorious Khawarij factions trying to snip at Somalia’s heels. Now, General Raage, who has already had his fingerprints smeared on this role from 2019 to mid-2023, is back in the saddle after General Muhyiddin’s short stint starting last June. Despite his brief reign, Muhyiddin steps aside as the nation braces for a bolder military adventure.
This shakeup spells out more than whispers of military strategy; it’s a front-row seat to Somalia’s upcoming heavy-hitting tango with al-Shabaab. The government is not in the mood for subtlety as it steers clear from relying solely on the African Union’s muscle. The vision? Gradually transfer the reins of security from the gracious guests of the African Union forces to Somali hands.
Looking into the crystal ball of international partnerships, something new is brewing—a fresh African Union mission is winding its way into existence. Expected to roll out by early 2025, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is gearing up to take the baton from the current AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Egypt and Djibouti are warming up, showing support for this new step. However, Ethiopia finds itself on the bench, following Somalia’s most recent decision to make an exclusion under the rationale of rising tensions.
Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama didn’t mince words in a Saturday sit-down, attributing this regional snub to Ethiopia’s alleged flirtations with Somali sovereignty breaches. This shift in the command chain and the vibe of the upcoming African Union mission births a new chapter in Somalia’s playbook. It reflects Somalia’s leap towards gauging its strengths and strategizing an independent stance against the insurgent odyssey.
As these complex maneuvers unfold, General Raage’s reshuffled position is more than a mere staffing decision—it’s a gambit in a high-stakes chess game. It symbolizes Somalia’s rally to assert control over its territories, relying less on international forces and more on homegrown dexterity to thwart insurgent zeal. This isn’t just politics or military maneuvering; it’s Somalia stitching a quilt of self-reliance, courage, and strategic foresight.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
