Somalia: Abdirashid Janan, Accused of Human Rights Abuses, Appointed Head of Intelligence in Gedo Region

MOGADISHU, Somalia  — July 21, 2025 — The Federal Government of Somalia has appointed Abdirashid Janan, a former regional security chief accused of serious human rights violations, as the new director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in the Gedo region and head of local security agencies.

The appointment, announced this week, has sparked concern among human rights organizations, who view it as a deeply troubling development in a region already marked by political instability and conflict.

Janan was named in a UN report for abuses committed between 2014 and 2015, including extrajudicial killings, torture, illegal detentions, and forced renditions while serving as a senior security official in Jubbaland state. Though never formally prosecuted, his case drew international condemnation and demands for accountability.

The federal government’s move is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to assert influence in Gedo and undermine the autonomy of Jubbaland’s regional leadership ahead of Somalia’s 2026 national elections.

Previously, Mogadishu-backed military campaigns in the Raaskambooni area failed to achieve their objectives. Attention has since shifted to Gedo, where federal authorities are ramping up political and security operations.

As of Monday, Somali federal officials had not publicly addressed the concerns raised by Janan’s appointment. Local leaders and civil society groups in Jubbaland have expressed alarm, warning that the decision could further destabilize the fragile security landscape in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE