Somali Cabinet Appoints New Custodial Corps Chief Amid Political Shifts

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud was appointed as the new chief of the Somali Custodial Corps, following an extraordinary session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.

The cabinet’s decision, based on a proposal from the Ministry of Justice, results in the immediate dismissal of the former chief, Gen. Mahad Abdirahman, widely known as "Shub."

The removal of Gen. Mahad follows recent reports of his alignment with regional political interests in South West State, where he is the father-in-law of the regional president, Abdiaziz Laftagareen. Sources suggest his dismissal was prompted by his overt support for the South West administration during recent political friction with the federal government.

Maj. Gen. Hamud, a veteran official, brings extensive security experience to the role. He has previously served as a government minister and held the top leadership positions in both the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

Prime Minister Barre emphasized that the leadership change is part of a broader effort to strengthen the administration and transparency of the nation’s correctional services.

The move is seen by political analysts as a significant step by the federal government to consolidate authority over national security agencies amid ongoing constitutional and political disputes between Mogadishu and several regional member states.

GAROWE ONLINE