Somalia Cabinet reinstates Abdullahi Mohamed Ali as intelligence boss

Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbaloolshe), who was reappointed on April 4, 2024, as director of Somalia's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA). (Photo: Handout)

By Abdirahman Khalif
Apr 04, 2024 | 01:41 PM

Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbaloolshe) is now a third-time director of Somalia's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA).

Somali politician Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbaloolshe) has returned to the helm of the country's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) for the third time.

In their weekly meeting on Thursday, Cabinet ministers reappointed Abdullahi as the NISA director to take over from Mahad Mohamed Salad, who served for the last two years.

He brings a wealth of experience, having held the position twice before, and has also served as a minister, a member of Parliament, and an ambassador.

Abdullahi was first appointed NISA director on July 9, 2014, by then-President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, replacing Bashiir Mohamed.

Hassan ruled until 2017, when he handed over to Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, but returned to the top seat in 2022.

The Cabinet meeting on April 4, 2024, that reappointed Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbaloolshe) as director of Somalia's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA). (Photo: SONNA)

A few months later, the Cabinet dismissed Abdullahi and replaced him with Abdirahman Mohamed Tuuryare, but Farmaajo once again appointed him on April 6, 2017. He currently holds a seat in the lower house of Parliament.

Under Somalia's constitution, the new director, who enjoys close ties with President Hassan, will relinquish his parliamentary seat after assuming his new role.

The Cabinet defended Abdullahi's appointment on Thursday, citing his profound knowledge and expertise in security and intelligence, and thanked his predecessor for his service since May 26, 2022, following Hassan's re-election.

Mahad is expected to contest for the presidency in the Galmudug State elections later this year.

In his farewell message, he expressed gratitude and wished Abdullahi success.