In a significant development for Somalia’s security landscape, a military court in Mogadishu sentenced five individuals linked to the Al-Shabaab militant group, as the federal government announced a major leadership reshuffle at the helm of the country’s intelligence agency.
According to HO, the First Instance Court of the Armed Forces delivered the verdict on Saturday, convicting five men for their roles in orchestrating assassination plots and bomb attacks across the capital. The convictions followed a targeted operation by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in August 2024, during which suspects were apprehended with weapons, including pistols and hand grenades.
Among those sentenced were Mohamed Nur Ali (also known as Abdimajiid), Abdullahi Hussein Mohamed, and Deeqow Adan Barre, each receiving 10 years in military prison. Two others — Abdishakur Abdikadir Mohamed (nicknamed Webka) and Farhan Adan Hassan — were sentenced to eight years for involvement in bomb-making and attack planning. A sixth defendant, Hassan Ali Iire Kuulow, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The court’s ruling comes as Somalia continues to crack down on Al-Shabaab networks operating within urban centers, with officials praising the arrests as a disruption of an active cell preparing further attacks on civilians and government targets.
In a related development, the federal cabinet, in an emergency session on Saturday, announced the reappointment of Mahad Mohamed Salad as the Director of NISA. The move comes amid shifting political dynamics and reported tensions between outgoing director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, known as Sanbaloolshe, and senior government officials.
Sanbaloolshe, who had returned to lead NISA in April 2024 for a third term, was removed following internal disagreements over operational direction. During his tenure, he oversaw several key intelligence operations but faced mounting criticism over coordination issues within the agency.
Mahad Salad, a veteran intelligence and political figure, previously held the post between August 2022 and April 2024. He is credited with initiating sweeping reforms within the agency, including the successful passage of the National Intelligence and Security Law in 2023 — a landmark piece of legislation aimed at modernizing the structure and mandate of NISA.
His return is seen as a strategic move by the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reassert control and reinvigorate the national counterterrorism strategy. Known for his hands-on leadership style, Mahad is expected to prioritize coordination among security institutions and intensify pressure on insurgent groups.
The cabinet thanked the outgoing director for his service and reiterated its commitment to strengthening national security institutions amid ongoing threats from extremist groups.