Somalia's PM Roble wins more support for sacking NISA boss Fahad Yasin

Somali PM Mohamed Hussein Roble has clashed with Farmajo over the dismissal of Fahad Yasin [File photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has won a lot of support from a number of stakeholders hours after sacking controversial NISA Director Fahad Yasin, who is a close ally of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Roble, who was tentatively handed security responsibilities and electoral preparation matters, sacked Fahad Yasin over the mysterious disappearance of Ikran Tahlil, a junior worker in the agency who was in charge of the cyber security matters.

Initially, Roble had just asked Yasin to prepare a report on the controversial death of Ikran Tahlil, who had gone missing for several months, only for her death to be announced by the spy agency boss. But Yasin would later ask Farmaajo to convene a National Security Council meeting.

This, experts say, seemingly angered Roble, who kicked Yasin out of the office and subsequently replacing him with Lt. General Bashir. However, Farmaajo, in a statement, wrote in support of Yasin, further protracting the crisis.

But a number of people have come in defense of PM Mohamed Hussein Roble, with the Union of Presidential Candidates backing the move. They said the decision was vital to bringing justice to the Ikraan Tahliil family, who was abducted and killed.

They also lauded the decision, arguing that it was the beginning of the restoration of NISA's reputation. The agency has been a center of controversy under the leadership of Fahad Yasin, a former Al-Jazeera journalist.

Jubaland state welcomed the decision by PM Roble to sack NISA chief Fahad Yasin over the case of Ikran Tahlil. "Jubaland is satisfied with the steps taken by the PM in response to repeated calls from the family of Ikran for justice," said a statement.

Ex-president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warned that unregulated security agencies will lead Somalia to instability and destruction amid a power struggle and dispute between PM Roble and Farmajo. He said the players should rethink before plunging the country into chaos.

As these happened, three youths hailing from the clan of Fahad Yasin who had been abducted three days ago in Beledweyne, central Somalia in connection with Ikran Tahlil's case, were released today after elders' intervention.

Multiple sources have confirmed that PM Roble is set to convene in the coming hours an emergency meeting of army commanders after replacing NISA head, Fahad Yasin. After the meeting, Roble set to take Gen Bashir Gobe to NISA headquarters to assume office.

GAROWE ONLINE