Mogadishu, Somalia – In a significant shake-up within Somalia’s national security leadership, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the National Security Adviser to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has officially vacated his position. The development was confirmed after Hussein updated his X (formerly Twitter) profile to reflect his new status as the “Former National Security Advisor.”
Though no formal announcement has been made by Villa Somalia, Hussein’s quiet exit comes at a time of heightened concern over security failures in HirShabelle State, where Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly recaptured several areas that had been previously liberated by government and allied forces.
The timing of his departure raises questions about internal accountability and the effectiveness of the government’s security strategy, especially amid the ongoing AUSSOM activities and Somalia’s preparations to assume full responsibility for national security by the end of 2024.
Multiple reports indicate that the situation in HirShabelle has deteriorated in recent weeks, with Al-Shabaab exploiting gaps in military deployments to reclaim territory. These developments are seen as a blow to the government’s “total war” campaign against the extremist group, a top priority for President Mohamud’s administration.
Sheikh-Ali, a respected security strategist and longtime advisor on counterterrorism, played a central role in shaping Somalia’s security policies over the past two years. His leadership was instrumental in coordinating multi-agency efforts and in securing international support for capacity-building and military operations.
While no successor has yet been announced, the government is under increasing pressure to revamp its security command and regain lost ground in central Somalia. Analysts warn that leadership instability at such a critical juncture could embolden militant actors and undermine ongoing reform efforts.
The Somali public and international partners will be closely watching how Villa Somalia addresses this sudden leadership gap and recalibrates its national security strategy in the face of renewed threats.