Somalia: NISA chief 'likely' to be sacked - Source

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalis' Federal government officials are planning to sack the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Abdullahi Mohamed Ali "Sanbalolshe", Garowe Online reports.

Reliable sources told GO that Ali's expected removal from office is due to a fall-out with top government officials, especially Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire over his work towards to the country's security.

GO has learned that the commander will be fired in the coming short period after the government faced big upward pressure from the people over lack of response to ONLF rebel leader's handover to Ethiopia.

NISA commander who has been in office over the past five months was reported to have made a significant improvement in the Intelligence service.

The transfer of Abdikarim Muse better known as "Qalbi Dhagah" was transferred to Ethiopia, days after he had been arrested in central town administered by Galmudug, a Somali Federal Member state.

Reports said Sanbalolshe has vehemently turned down a tender from the Federal government leaders and their political advisers, who asked him to take the responsibility of Qalbi Dhagah's handover.

Other sources indicate that there was a plan to kick out three Somalia's' security chiefs, including Military, Police, and NISA, and replace them with new commanders, but has been postponed for two months.

However, the army chief resigned last week, along with Defense Minister for the same issue, but cited personal reasons.

On the other hand, GO obtained information suggesting that there is a lack of collaboration between NISA Chief and Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire over the work and the planned shakeup in the security agencies.

NISA head has praised for doing an outstanding work in the security after launching in mid this year "Mogadishu stabilization mission" that reduced Al Shabaab deadly bombings in the seaside capital.

The foreign countries supporting NISA in terms of finance and logistics have affectionately welcomed Sanbalolshe's new strategy to deal with the terror groups' activities aimed at destabilizing the country.

PM Khaire who is a newcomer to Somali Politics was accused of failing to have good a cooperation with the various agencies under his administration, which are complaining about an intervention from his office.

GAROWE ONLINE