Somalia's president fires army chiefs, appoints New Mogadishu mayor

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo sacked the army and security commanders and appointed replacements, a frequent firing of the top military brass in the country, Garowe Online reports.

The decision was announced by the cabinet following its weekly meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday.

General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh, who was the Commander of Infantry Division for months, has been named as Somali National Army [SNA], replacing Major General Dahir Aden Elmi, alias [Indha-Qarshe].

General Abdi Hassan Mohamed appointed as Police boss, taking over from Gen Bashir Abdi Mohamed, Gen Mahad Abdirahman Aden, Custodial Corps while Fahad Yasin promoted to the country’s spy chief.

The president did not give reasons for removing the army and security chiefs from power.

Meanwhile, President Farmajo has appointed former warlord and MP, Omar Mohamud Mohamed alias [Omar Filish] as the new mayor of Mogadishu who also doubles up as the governor of Benadir region on Thursday.

Omar Filish substitutes Abdirahman Omar Osman [Eng Yarisow] who early this month succumbed to critical wounds sustained in Al-Shabaab suicide attack in his office in the capital city on July 24.

Farmajo has urged the new mayor to perform his duties diligently with patriotism.

Since winning a contested election in 2017, Somali President has been conducting a major shake-up of the country's security establishment after its failure to prevent frequent attacks from Al-Shabab group.

GAROWE ONLINE