Somalia: New Army Chief, Maritime Reform, Digital Push

30 Jan 2026 — 2 min read

Somalia Brief: New Army Chief, maritime reform, DPI summit

Jan 30, 2026 — Cabinet names new army chief; reforms advance

Cabinet appoints Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud as new SNA commander; government reports major battlefield gains.The Council of Ministers unanimously approved Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud as Commander of the Somali National Army. The Cabinet also praised a recent operation in the Jabad‑Godane area that it says neutralized more than 550 militants, including roughly 80 foreign fighters; ministers approved a new Marine Transport Registration Regulation and set up an inter‑ministerial committee on human trafficking during the same session.Why it matters: Leadership change and the claimed operational success are positioned by the government as central to accelerating army modernization, sustaining current offensives, and restoring institutional control over security and maritime affairs.Sources: Primary: SONNA — cabinet appoints Gen. Ibrahim & Jabad‑Godane update; also from: SONNA — profile: strategic expertise, SONNA — appointment & modernization context

National Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit set for Feb 14–15 in Mogadishu — The Ministry of Communications and the PM’s Office will convene CBS, NCA, NIRA and the Data Protection Authority to align systems for interoperable public services and a national digital vision. (SONNA)
Cabinet approves Marine Transport Registration Regulation — The new maritime registration framework aims to tighten safety standards, monitoring, and compliance with international maritime conventions to protect the Somali flag’s reputation. (SONNA)
PM meets Turkish deputy minister, recommits to infrastructure cooperation — Leaders discussed expanded port management, maritime transport, security and energy links; the Turkish delegation gifted the PM an inscription from the Qur’an. (SONNA)

SNA special forces dismantle Khawaarij hideouts in Middle Shabelle — The elite 4th Unit struck positions in Alanleey, destroying defensive lines and conducting ongoing clearing operations to prevent insurgent regrouping. (SONNA)

SoDMA launches national consultation on drought response, centering women‑led organizations — A forum at the Peace Hotel prioritized elevating women from beneficiaries to decision‑makers in emergency planning; UN Women and international agencies are partners. (SONNA)
Egypt pledges advanced technical training to SoDMA — SoDMA’s commissioner met Egypt’s ambassador to plan meteorology, risk assessment and disaster management training as part of bilateral disaster cooperation. (SONNA)

Labor minister presents Somalia’s youth employment strategy at Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh — Minister Prof. Salim Aliyow outlined job creation and vocational training programs aimed at integrating Somali youth into a technology‑driven labor market. (SONNA)

Women’s rights groups and UN Women attended the national drought consultation at Mogadishu’s Peace Hotel, where speakers stressed moving women from beneficiaries to leaders in relief planning. (SONNA)
SoDMA’s commissioner publicly thanked Egypt for steady support as officials outlined a technical training roadmap to strengthen Somalia’s disaster response. (SONNA)
During the Turkish delegation visit, the Prime Minister received a culturally significant gift—an inscription of Qur’anic verses—underscoring the ceremonial ties in the bilateral partnership. (SONNA)

How the new SNA commander will be integrated into command structures and whether the government publishes follow‑up operational details or verification on the Jabad‑Godane figures. (SONNA)
Outcomes and action points from the National DPI Summit (Feb 14–15): agency commitments on interoperability, data protection, and timelines for public‑service integration. (SONNA)
Implementation schedule for the Marine Transport Registration Regulation and whether international maritime bodies respond to Somalia’s compliance measures. (SONNA)
Progress on SoDMA’s planned training with Egyptian experts and concrete timelines for capacity upgrades in meteorology and risk assessment. (SONNA)

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.