New chief begins sweeping changes to NISA to uproot Farmajo cronies

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not new to the presidency. He ruled the country between 2012 and 2017 and regained power from his successor Farmajo after emerging as the winner of the May 15 election.

News Keydmedia Online
31 May 2022

Mahad Salad, a former MP became NISA boss this month [File Photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Mahad Salad has launched a sweeping change to the National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA] a day after he assumed office from Yasin Farey, who served in an acting capacity.

NISA’s director announced on Monday that he appointed Muhyadin Warba Shador, as the new chief of the Mogadishu intelligence unit. It’s the second time Shadow being named to this post since Sep last year.

Mahad Salad, a fierce critic of the former Farmajo administration, has been assigned to lead the notorious intelligence agency after his ally Hassan Sheikh won the 15th May election in Mogadishu.

New leadership at Villa Somalia is expected to make significant changes to the security apparatus, primarily NISA, which Farmajo has divided, using them to score his political interference for 5 years.

Farmajo’s right-hand man Fahad Yasin who headed NISA for two years was accused of oppressing and silencing the dissent voices and the journalists in what critics described a dictatorial leadership.

Unprecedented crimes happened within NISA during Fahad Yasin's leadership, including the murder of Ikran Tahlil, a senior cybersecurity expert working for the spy agency last year.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not new to the presidency. He ruled the country between 2012 and 2017 and regained power from his successor Farmajo after emerging as the winner of the May 15 election.

Mohamud’s previous administration had been marred by corruption, favoritism, and incompetence as the power was dominated by members from his Damu-Jadid political group who looted public funds.

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