The Council of Ministers has appointed Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud as the new Commander of the Somali National Army, who will officially assume leadership of the armed forces.

“The Council of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Somalia, during its regular meeting, approved by majority vote the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Defense to appoint a new Commander of the Somali National Army. General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud was appointed to the position. He has 18 years of military experience and holds a university education up to the second level,” said the Government Spokesperson, Abdinassir Saxansaxo.

The newly appointed Army Commander, Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, is a young officer who in recent years served as the Commander of the Army Support Forces. He has been recognized for his role in organizing, supporting, and strengthening military operations against Al-Shabaab.

Additionally, the new commander was among the officers who led the most recent battles against the Al-Shabaab group, particularly the operations conducted in the Middle Shabelle region, where he played a prominent role in coordinating and supporting government forces.

His appointment comes at a time when the country is facing intense fighting. It is expected that the new commander will lead efforts to strengthen security, reform the armed forces, and accelerate ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab across various regions of the country.

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The ceremony was attended by high-ranking military officials, clan elders, and grieving family members, all mourning the untimely and suspicious death of the young officer.

At Isbahaysiga Mosque, where the funeral was held, there was little said—those who did speak focused on Colonel Farey’s good character and bravery.

“He never let his men down on the battlefield,” said former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi.

“His death shows how dangerous it is when the enemy remains within,” added clan elder Mohamud Ali.

Colonel Nur Farey, commander of the Somali National Army’s 14th October Brigade, was fatally shot on Saturday, April 5, during an army mobilization meeting at Abdow Dibille military camp near Afgooye, in the Lower Shabelle region.

According to eyewitnesses inside the camp, he was addressing soldiers when another soldier opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Shooter gunned down

At least one other officer was reportedly killed in the same incident, though that detail remains unverified.

The shooter was immediately gunned down by other soldiers, and his body was severely mutilated, making forensic identification and investigation more difficult, according to sources familiar with the case.

Nur Farey, father of eight children, who joined the Somali army in 2008, had received international training, including advanced military studies at the University of Turin in Italy, where he graduated in 2022.

He earned a reputation as a capable and brave officer, especially during the 2014–2015 Indian Ocean Operation, a large-scale military campaign led by African Union forces to dislodge Al-Shabaab from areas surrounding Mogadishu and key parts of Lower and Middle Shabelle.

“He was still a young officer during that time, but he quickly proved himself as a strategic and effective commander,” recalled former Somali National Army Chief Major General Dahir Adan Elmi. “His courage and discipline in combat made him stand out.”

However, the circumstances surrounding Colonel Farey’s death have sparked fresh concerns and political controversy in Somalia’s hugely divided security sector.

Ongoing rivalries

Multiple sources suggest that Farey’s killing may have had political undertones linked to ongoing rivalries within the federal government and the military establishment.

Colonel Farey had longstanding political ties to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of Himilo Qaran, one of Somalia’s main opposition parties.

During the 2021 political crisis, Farey was among a small group of military officers who aligned themselves with opposition-aligned clan militias in Mogadishu, opposing then-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s controversial bid to extend his term.

In recent months, some sources claim that Farey may have been working with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to counter what they perceive as “attempts by the current administration under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to seek a term extension beyond 2026” —a move that is increasingly drawing tension from various political factions.

Colonel Farey’s sub-clan affiliation, which aligns closely with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has further fueled speculation that his assassination may have been politically motivated.

At least military insiders indicate that such associations often result in officers being labeled as “enemies” by rival factions within the army loyal to the current leadership.

Tensions between President Hassan Sheikh’s administration and supporters of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed have recently escalated, particularly in the Middle Shabelle region.

Some Sharif-aligned clan forces reportedly refused to join federal troops in anti-Al-Shabaab operations, resulting in significant territorial gains by the militant group.

The killing of Colonel Farey is the latest in a disturbing pattern of unexplained and uninvestigated killings of military and security officers, mainly those aligned with the rival clans, since President Hassan Sheikh took office in May 2022.

Dozens of such cases have gone unresolved, further eroding public trust in the government’s commitment to justice and accountability.

President Hassan Sheikh was quick to issue a statement expressing condolences for Colonel Farey’s death last Saturday.

“Commander Nur Farey was a loyal fighter who sacrificed his life to defend the nation and uphold the freedom of the Somali people,” read the statement released by Villa Somalia.

It added that the federal government is launching a “thorough investigation into the terrorist attack” and remains determined to intensify efforts against extremist groups.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, meanwhile, issued a strongly worded condemnation of the killing and called for an independent investigation.

“Commander Nur Farey was a national hero—skilled, loyal, and a born leader,” Sharif said. “His death is not only a loss to the army but to the entire nation. I urge the Somali National Army Command and federal authorities to conduct a full, transparent investigation so that those responsible are held accountable.”

Despite official statements, many military officers including Farey’s colleagues remain skeptical about whether any meaningful investigation will take place, citing the government’s history of failing to pursue justice in similar cases.

As Colonel Farey is laid to rest, the questions surrounding his death cast a long shadow over Somalia’s already volatile political and security landscape.

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