Poor Health Forces Al-Shabaab Leader to Cede Power to Deputy

Reports indicate that the leader of the Al-Shabaab militia has ceded power over to his deputy because of poor health.

Ahmed Diriye, the leader of the militants, has handed the leadership of the group to his deputy.

The National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) said Diriye has been fighting an “unidentified disease” thus forcing him to give control of the group to his deputy Abukar Aden.

These latest developments come as reports emerge of vicious cracks within the group.

In recent weeks, reports from multiple sources have pointed at the likelihood of massive cracks in the group’s leadership.

Nevertheless, Diriye would be taking a break from leading the group to nurse himself back to good health before resuming his role as the leader.

Diriye’s poor health and the decision to give up leadership come when his differences with Amniyat and Mahad Karate, who is in charge of Al-Shabaab’s finances, seem to be growing.