Controversial director says takes over NISA leadership as Farmaajo calls for meeting

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A close ally of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has taken over National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] leadership, amid ongoing tussles between the president and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

Yasin Abdullahi Farey, who was appointed by Farmaajo on an interim basis, assumed office on Wednesday, despite another appointment made by PM Roble, who brought in former custodial corps boss Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jama alias Goobe.

The latest move further signifies dwindling fortunes between PM Roble and President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, which could further derail the implementation of the electoral process, which is set to end in 2021, after a long delay.

The embattled Intelligence Agency announced the hand-over of power on its Twitter handle on Wednesday morning shortly after Farmaajo made the appointment of Yasin Farey. PM Roble had instructed Goobe to also report to the office.

The controversy came about when PM Mohamed Roble sacked Fahad Yasin over the death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the spy agency. Roble had demanded a report, but a defiant Yasin told him off, with Al-Shabaab also disputing claims of involvement in the death.

A number of international partners have asked both camps to tone down for the sake of implementation of the electoral agreement. PM Roble has received massive support from a number of stakeholders, who have accused Farmaajo of sabotage.

Amid this controversy, Farmaajo has called for a meeting of the National Security Council between FGS and leaders of the federal member states [FMS] on Sep-18 in which NISA will present the report of the investigation on Ikran Tahlil's mysterious death as requested by Fahad Yasin.

The statement from the outgoing president's office comes at a time when PM Mohamed Hussein Roble has ordered the national media not to publish or broadcast messages from Farmajo's office. The president's team expired on Feb 8 this year.

GAROWE ONLINE