In a country grappling with decades of conflict, the position of Commander of the Somali National Army (SNA) has become one of the most volatile and high-stakes posts in African security.
Over the past 15 years, the Somali National Army has been a hot seat as it has seen at least eight changes Army Chiefs—with commanders frequently hired, fired, and rehired, reflecting the intertwining of military performance, political calculations, and the country’s fragile security environment. This reflects the intense political and operational pressures surrounding the country’s military leadership.
For officers, the post of Army Chief demands operational brilliance, political acumen, and the ability to manage complex logistics, all while commanding a force engaged in some of Africa’s most dangerous security operations. For Somalia, it remains a pivotal role in maintaining sovereignty, ensuring security, and projecting stability in a region long defined by insurgency and conflict.
With the appointment of Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, the SNA embarks on yet another chapter, under leadership aimed at strengthening command structures, sustaining frontline operations, and supporting Somalia’s broader strategic ambitions.
Since taking office in May 2022, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Somali National Army has seen the appointment of three different commanders, including the twice-reinstated General Odowaa Yusuf Raage. Each chief has faced the dual challenge of leading operations against al-Shabaab while managing the delicate political dynamics in Mogadishu, reflecting the continuing volatility and high stakes of Somalia’s top military post.
The new commander: Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud
The current shift in leadership introduces Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, a senior officer with 18 years of military experience and postgraduate-level education. Before taking over as SNA Chief, he commanded the General Support Command, a position he assumed in June 2024 under a Presidential Decree by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Brigadier General Ibrahim’s expertise in this area positions him as a logistics and command-focused leader, essential at a time when Somalia seeks to consolidate gains against al-Shabaab and professionalize its military forces.
Odowaa Yusuf Raage
Most recently, in November 2024, General Odowaa Yusuf Raage was reappointed as SNA Commander, replacing Brigadier General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin Addow, who had served since June 2023.
Odowaa’s previous tenure, from 2019 to June 2023, was marked by an intensified military campaign against al-Shabaab and significant progress in transferring security responsibilities from African Union forces to Somali-led units, a strategic cornerstone of Somalia’s national security plan.
Odowaa’s career underscores the professional military path many SNA commanders follow. He joined the army in 2006, received one-year training in Uganda in military law and VIP protection, and later became an instructor for newly trained Somali troops. In 2013, he underwent advanced military training in Türkiye, specializing in infantry tactics, battlefield leadership, and foreign-language skills, followed by senior-level education at the Turkish Army War College in 2014.
Since February 2017 to May 2022, under the tenure of the then President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, the SNA has witnessed the appointment of several commanders, each facing the dual challenge of leading the army against al-Shabaab insurgents while navigating the shifting political landscape of Mogadishu.
A Timeline of Turnover: Hire, Fire, and Rehire
On 6 April 2017, Major General Mohamed Ahmed Jimcaale (Cirfiid) was appointed Commander of the Somali National Army. His tenure was short-lived; by 12 October 2017, he had resigned, creating a vacuum at the top of the military hierarchy.
Following Cirfiid’s resignation, the Council of Ministers swiftly appointed Major General Cabdiweli Jaamac Gorod on 12 October 2017. Gorod led the army for roughly ten months, overseeing operations during a critical period in the fight against al-Shabaab and the ongoing transition of security responsibilities from African Union forces to Somali-led units.
The next shake-up came on 16 August 2018, when President Farmaajo carried out a major reshuffle of military leadership and senior officials in Villa Somalia. Gorod was relieved of his post, and Major General Dahir Aden Cilmi (Indha-Qarshe) was reinstated as SNA Commander. Indha-Qarshe had previously served as Army Chief from 2013 to 2015, making his appointment a return to a familiar but highly demanding role.
Earlier Commanders: A History of Strategic Appointments
The volatility at the top is not new. In March 2013, then-Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saacid first appointed Major General Dahir Aden Cilmi (Indha-Qarshe) as Commander of the Somali National Army, marking the start of a period defined by rapid leadership changes.
Before that, Somalia had already experienced frequent changes in army leadership, often driven by political pressures, resignations, or security exigencies.
Between 2006 and 2013, several officers, including internationally trained figures, held top positions in the SNA, balancing internal military reforms with the persistent threat posed by armed groups like al-Shabaab.