MOGADISHU — Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud formally assumed command of the Somali National Army on Wednesday in a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, as Somalia’s government pledged to accelerate military reforms and intensify operations against al-Shabab.
Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Raage, the outgoing chief of the army, transferred authority in the presence of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, senior security chiefs and foreign diplomats, including Turkey’s ambassador. The change of command follows the federal government’s Jan. 29 decision appointing Ibrahim to lead the force and relieving Odowaa of his duties.
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In remarks at the event, Hamza praised Odowaa’s tenure, saying the army had made significant gains against al-Shabab and that public confidence in the force had improved. He urged the new commander to build on those advances by accelerating the rebuilding and professionalization of the military, emphasizing national defense, the country’s unity and counterterrorism.
“The government stands firmly with the armed forces,” the prime minister said, pledging continued support for training, equipment and overall capacity-building.
Defence Minister Fiqi framed the transition as part of regular governance and vowed to continue strengthening the army’s discipline, readiness and operational capabilities. He thanked the outgoing commander for his service and sacrifice and pledged full ministerial backing for Ibrahim to deliver on security priorities.
The ceremony drew a wide slate of Somalia’s security leadership and international partners. Those in attendance included:
- Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag
- State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi
- Somali Police Force Commander Brig. Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi
- Commanders from various military formations and senior government officials
- Foreign diplomats and representatives of partner nations
The leadership change comes amid a multi-front campaign against al-Shabab in central and southern Somalia, where federal and regional forces, backed by international partners, are seeking to stabilize newly recovered areas and dislodge the militant group from remaining strongholds. Officials have cast the transition at the top of the army as an opportunity to sharpen operations and streamline coordination as the fight continues.
Though the government did not outline immediate shifts in strategy, Ibrahim inherits an evolving battlefield in which Somali forces are expected to consolidate territorial gains, expand training pipelines and integrate logistics and communications upgrades promised by the Defense Ministry. The prime minister’s emphasis on professionalization signals continued attention to standards, command-and-control and the sustainment of units operating in austere environments.
For Odowaa, who led the army through a period of intensified offensives, the ceremony served as a formal close to a tenure that senior officials credited with changing momentum against the insurgency. For Ibrahim, whose appointment took effect late last month, it marks the start of a mandate defined by the twin tasks of securing contested districts and strengthening an institution central to Somalia’s broader state-building effort.
As he takes command, Somalia’s security establishment is seeking to balance pressure on al-Shabab with the governance and stabilization needed to hold ground. With the government’s stated commitment of resources and partner support, the Somali National Army remains at the center of that strategy.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
