Salad Cali Jeelle Named Senior Advisor as President Seeks to Bridge Growing Rift with Harti Abgaal Following Security Operations

MOGADISHU – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed veteran diplomat Ambassador Salad Cali Jeelle as Senior Advisor to the President, according to an official executive directive released from Villa Somalia on Sunday.

The appointment aims to enhance the presidency’s capabilities in advisory roles, policy formulation, inter-agency cooperation, and national development programs. Ambassador Salad Cali Jeelle brings substantial political and administrative expertise to the presidential office, having held numerous high-level leadership and diplomatic positions throughout his extensive career.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud publicly recognized the newly appointed Senior Advisor, commending his professional commitment, broad field experience, and significant contributions to public service. The President affirmed complete trust in the Ambassador’s capacity to fulfill his national duties with effectiveness and transparency.

Appointment Amid Clan Tensions

The appointment comes at a politically sensitive time for the Harti Abgaal sub-clan, to which Ambassador Salad Cali Jeelle belongs. The Harti Abgaal, a sub-clan of the larger Abgaal clan within the Hawiye clan family, has been perceived to be under pressure from President Mohamud’s administration in recent weeks.

Opposition leaders have accused security forces loyal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of planning operations targeting former military chief General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, who is also from the Harti Abgaal clan, as well as other prominent opposition members. General Odowaa served as the Chief of Defence Forces of Somalia from November 2024 to January 2026.

The de-weaponization operations in Mogadishu have predominantly targeted armed groups affiliated with the Harti Abgaal clan, including forces loyal to former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Nur. Forces loyal to former Minister Nur were intercepted while attempting to move assets to traditional Harti Abgaal clan territories in the Adale district of Middle Shabelle region.

Former Internal Security Minister and presidential advisor Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, also from the Harti Abgaal clan, accused government forces of raiding his Elite Hotel in Mogadishu, claiming that the operation was intended to destroy the property and loot its contents rather than conduct a legitimate search. Nor recently resigned from his position as advisor to the president due to “unaddressed serious political challenges.”

Political Context of the Appointment

The appointment of Ambassador Salad Cali Jeelle can be interpreted as an attempt by President Mohamud to address growing discontent within the Harti Abgaal clan, which has been a traditional base of support for opposition figures including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.

By bringing a seasoned diplomat from the Harti Abgaal clan into his inner circle, the president may be seeking to balance the perceived targeting of Harti Abgaal-affiliated political and military figures with the inclusion of a respected elder statesman from the same clan. Ambassador Jeelle’s extensive diplomatic career and his reputation as a non-partisan figure could help bridge the widening gap between Villa Somalia and the Harti Abgaal community.

However, it remains unclear whether this appointment will be sufficient to ease the growing tensions. Opposition figures from the Harti Abgaal clan have continued to voice concerns about what they describe as a systematic campaign against their community. The Somali Future Council has warned that recent security operations targeting Harti Abgaal figures risk worsening the already fragile political and security situation in Mogadishu.

Ambassador Jeelle’s Diplomatic Background

Ambassador Salad Cali Jeelle brings decades of diplomatic experience to his new role. His comprehensive knowledge of state-building frameworks and governance structures is anticipated to offer valuable analytical assistance to the executive leadership in addressing intricate domestic policies and regional integration priorities.

His appointment follows a pattern of the president surrounding himself with experienced diplomats and technocrats as Somalia navigates a complex political transition amid disputes over electoral processes and constitutional amendments.

International Community Response

The appointment comes as international partners continue to urge dialogue between the federal government and opposition figures to resolve the political crisis.

International partners including the UN, African Union, EU, IGAD, the United States, and the United Kingdom have urged renewed dialogue between the Somali government and opposition groups. The United States has delivered one of its most explicit public statements against the use of force on political protesters in Somalia.

The president, in concluding his executive statement, called for divine assistance in supporting the Ambassador’s national obligations, encouraging him to serve the nation with unwavering integrity, optimal efficiency, and strategic proficiency.