Somalia President sacks army chief General Odowaa

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh has sacked the Chief of the Somali National Army [SNA] Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, effectively ending a career of a young general, who has been spearheading the fight against Al-Shabaab militants for the last years

General Odowaa was replaced by Brigadier General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin. The Italy-trained Muhiyadin was previously the commander of the presidential guards during the previous term of the current president.

The sacking of Rageh comes amid a reported slowdown in the war on Al-Shabaab and an unprecedented delay in launching of the second phase. The first phase which lasted for seven months in Galmadug and HirShabelle states led to the liberation of 80 areas.

The president, who had previously declared "total war" on Al-Shabaab, announced that Somalia had reached an agreement with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti for the deployment of non-ATMIS troops to the country who are set to assist the military in the second phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab in Jubaland and Southwest states.

Gen. Rageh is the youngest commander ever to lead the Somalia army and had vast military experience after training in Uganda and Turkey and directly participating in serious ground combats. He was appointed by former President Farmajo in 2019.

His dismissal also comes a day after HirShabelle leader Ali Gudlawe Hussein sacked Hiiraan region Governor Osman Jeyte, who was the symbol of the fight against Al-Shabaab having been a key mobilizer of clan militia. His sacking,which he has since declined, was widely condemned by many, including Federal MPs.

Whether setbacks or choreographed political moves, the dismissal of the two could trigger serious ramifications in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Somalia military is preparing to take security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the country says over 20,000 have been prepared.

Later this month, the first batch of 2,000 AU soldiers is set to leave the country with additional 3,000 also expected to leave later on. The Al-Shabaab group has been carrying out sporadic retaliatory attacks mainly targeting security forces within military bases.

On Monday, state media announced that 45 Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in Jamane, Lower Jubba region following an airstrike activated by the international partners on June 16. Among those killed, state media added, were Aden Abdirahman Aden, the commander of the gr,oup and, a Kenyan national.

GAROWE ONLINE