Thursday 29, Jan 2026 {HMC} Somalia has replaced its army chief as the country prepares to launch a new phase of military operations against al-Shabab in central and southern regions, the government said Thursday.

Major Gen. Odawaa Yusuf Rageh was removed from his post during a Cabinet meeting in Mogadishu chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office. Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud was appointed as the new chief of the Somali National Army.

The government said the leadership change is part of a broader effort to accelerate military modernization and strengthen command effectiveness as security forces intensify operations against the al-Qaida-linked insurgent group.

The appointment comes at a critical moment, with the Somali National Army engaged in sustained, high-intensity offensives across parts of Middle Shabelle and Lower Juba, areas long used by al-Shabab as operational strongholds. Somali officials have said recent operations, conducted with support from international partners, resulted in the deaths of more than 300 militants figures that could not be independently verified.

Defense officials said Brig. Gen. Mohamud has been tasked with maintaining battlefield momentum while introducing new operational and logistical approaches aimed at improving troop readiness and coordination.

“The change in command reflects the need for renewed tactical direction as the armed forces enter a decisive stage of the campaign,” the government statement said, adding that the new army chief will focus on professionalizing the ranks and streamlining command structures.

Rageh had been reappointed as army chief in November 2024, replacing Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh. His tenure coincided with an expanded offensive against al-Shabab following the federal government’s pledge to weaken the group’s territorial control and financial networks.

Al-Shabab continues to carry out attacks against government targets, civilians and international partners despite years of military pressure. While Somali forces, backed by allies, have regained territory in recent months, the group retains the ability to mount complex assaults and stage deadly bombings.

The government has framed the latest leadership shift as part of a long-term strategy to sustain pressure on the insurgency and consolidate gains on the ground as Somalia pushes toward greater security self-reliance.

Source hiiraan Online

Thursday 29, Jan 2026 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday closed the 27th meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative Forum of finance ministers, marking the first time the high-level regional gathering has been hosted in Mogadishu.

The meeting brought together finance ministers and senior officials from across the Horn of Africa to discuss regional economic cooperation, with a particular focus on energy trade as a driver of integration and sustainable growth.

President Hassan Sheikh praised the participating ministers for their efforts to strengthen economic coordination and promote experience-sharing among countries in a region facing shared challenges ranging from climate shocks to infrastructure deficits.
Hosting the forum in Mogadishu, he said, was a clear sign of Somalia’s recovery and a reflection of growing international confidence in the country after decades of conflict and instability. He added that Somalia’s current chairmanship of the forum offers an important opportunity to deepen regional collaboration and advance common economic priorities.

The meeting was chaired by Somalia’s Minister of Finance, Bihi Imaan Cige, under Somalia’s presidency of the forum. Finance ministers from Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and South Sudan attended in person, while Sudan and Kenya participated virtually. Representatives from international partners, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Kingdom and Germany, were also present.

Discussions centered on expanding regional energy trade, which participants identified as a key pillar for economic integration and long-term development in the Horn of Africa. Ministers examined ways to improve cooperation on cross-border energy projects and reduce the cost of power for households and businesses.

Cige said the forum focused on practical solutions to deliver affordable energy across the region, including mobilizing financing for energy infrastructure projects. He emphasized that improved access to reliable and low-cost energy is essential for economic growth, job creation and regional stability.

The Horn of Africa Initiative Forum brings together finance ministries to coordinate policy, share expertise and address common economic challenges. Somalia’s hosting of the meeting underscored its ambition to play a more active role in regional economic diplomacy as it seeks to consolidate political stability and rebuild its economy.

Source Hiiaan online

Thursday 29, Jan 2026 {HMC} Somalia and Türkiye have agreed to develop new infrastructure projects at the Port of Mogadishu, aiming to expand trade, raise government revenue and improve efficiency at the country’s most important maritime gateway, officials said Wednesday.

The agreement was reached during a visit by a senior Turkish delegation led by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar, marking a renewed phase of bilateral cooperation focused on ports, maritime services and economic development.

Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, received Ünüvar and his delegation in Mogadishu, where the two sides held talks on upgrading port infrastructure, expanding maritime services and strengthening cooperation in related sectors including security, energy and trade.
Nur described Türkiye as a strategic partner and said Somalia was seeking practical, high-impact projects that would modernize port operations while delivering tangible economic benefits. He emphasized that Mogadishu Port plays a central role in national revenue generation and in facilitating imports critical to the country’s economy.

Ünüvar welcomed the talks and said Ankara was committed to deepening its long-standing partnership with Somalia through infrastructure development and technical cooperation. He said accelerating joint agreements would help drive trade growth and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Following the meeting, Ünüvar, accompanied by Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, and senior executives from the Albayrak Group the Turkish company that manages the port conducted a technical inspection of the facility. The delegation toured key operational areas, including the container terminal and cargo handling zones, reviewing recent upgrades and identifying areas for further expansion.

Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur said Turkish involvement had been instrumental in transforming the port into a more modern and reliable hub, noting that the visit signaled continued Turkish engagement through investment and expertise.

Türkiye has been a major partner in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction for more than a decade, with investments spanning ports, airports, health care, education and security. The Port of Mogadishu remains a cornerstone of that relationship and a critical asset in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen state revenue and economic resilience.

Source Hiiaan online