Maj-Gen Odowa Yusuf Rageh, the head of Somalia’s armed forces, was removed as the nation faced a recurrence of Al-Shabaab attacks months after stepping up its offensive against the terrorists.
After receiving training in Turkey and Uganda, Rageh, 44, was selected as the youngest army leader in the history of modern Somalia in 2019. He was chosen by the country’s former president, Mohamed Farmajo, in 2019.
He will now be succeeded as commander of the Somalia National Army (SNA)’s defense forces by Brig-Gen Ibrahim Sheikh Muhydin.
The Ministry of Defence’s nomination of Muhydin as the next SNA commander was approved, according to a dispatch released following the Council of Ministers meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.
Brig-Gen Mohydin was formally appointed to the position after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud approved the nomination and signed a proclamation.
The development occurs as President Mohamud is promoting “the second phase” of efforts to drive Al-Shabaab extremists out of areas under its control.
Large areas of central Somalia were liberated by pro-government forces, notably the SNA and local vigilantes, with the assistance of African Union peacekeepers (Atmis) and the US Africa Command (Africom).
However, the gang has recently recovered and launched some of the most lethal strikes on important infrastructure. And despite leaving important areas, the group has recently been able to assault Kenya, including last Sunday when security personnel were hurt by a landmine that Al-Shabaab laid and claimed.