MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a surprising twist of events, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps.
Nonetheless, the advancements hit a snag as President Mohamud removed Brigadier General Dayah Abdi Abdulle, the army’s ground forces commander, a major figure in tackling the Al-Shabaab menace.
A seasoned warrior, Abdulle had spearheaded numerous operations across Somalia. His exit coincides with a noticeable lull in the campaign against Al-Shabaab, attributed to reduced pressure from both the Somali government and its allies.
Colonel Khalid Abdullahi Omar steps into the fray, having previously helmed the Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency (JISA). Dayah spent a year in the role, collaborating with various regional forces for Somalia’s peace quest.
Analysts often point to constant leadership shifts in the army, tying them to the ongoing challenges in combating Al-Shabaab, which continuously threatens Somali security through sporadic assaults against governmental bodies and civilians.
With allied forces setting their sights on a 2024 exit, the Somali National Army gears up to shoulder security duties. A new initiative, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), is poised for inception.
Somalia’s administration has nixed the idea of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces’ involvement, accusing Addis Ababa of imperial ambitions. Ethiopia’s controversial MoU with North Western State of Somalia is under Somalia’s scrutiny for breaching international laws.
AXADLETM
