MOGADISHU — The Commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, on Wednesday formally inaugurated a two-day gathering of intelligence leaders from East African Community (EAC) member states. The meeting, which runs from April 29 to 30, 2026, brings together senior security officials to assess regional security conditions and explore avenues for deeper intelligence collaboration.
Delegates are deliberating on current threats and challenges facing East African nations, with the aim of strengthening mechanisms for information sharing and coordinated counterterrorism efforts. The high-level talks reflect a broader push within the EAC to harmonize security strategies among member states, a priority that has gained urgency amid persistent militant activity across the region.
In his opening address, Brigadier General Mahmoud briefed participants on Somalia’s domestic security landscape and wider regional developments, emphasizing the critical role of intelligence partnerships in stabilizing the Horn of Africa. He also highlighted ongoing advancements in the rehabilitation and professionalization of the Somali National Army, noting that institutional reforms are key to sustaining security gains. The Commander expressed optimism that the meeting would produce concrete and actionable outcomes, and he extended his appreciation to the attending delegations for their engagement.
Somalia’s Broader Security and Intelligence Engagement
The gathering in Mogadishu aligns with a series of recent high-level security engagements involving Somali officials. In July 2025, the intelligence chiefs of Somalia and Ethiopia met to deepen collaboration on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism operations, and the fight against transnational threats that destabilize the Horn of Africa. That meeting established a formal framework for regular consultations and strategic coordination between the two countries’ intelligence services.
Somalia has actively pursued multilateral security partnerships within the East African bloc. In March 2026, Somalia furthered its regional economic and security strategy at an EAC Council of Ministers meeting in Arusha, where discussions centered on cross-border integration and executing strategic decisions previously set by the EAC Heads of State Summit. Additionally, intelligence coordination has been a recurring theme in bilateral talks: Ethiopia’s intelligence chief, Ridwan Hussein, held high-level discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and NISA Director Mahad Salad in Mogadishu in January 2026, addressing security cooperation and regional stability.
Somalia’s integration into the EAC’s security framework continues to evolve. In January 2024, NISA Director Mahad Salad attended a regional intelligence chiefs conference in Mombasa, where he joined counterparts from other regional agencies to discuss security cooperation and intelligence sharing. Such engagements underscore Mogadishu’s commitment to playing an active role in East African security governance.
Beyond the EAC, Somalia has deepened ties with international security partners. In July 2025, Somalia and INTERPOL agreed to strengthen joint efforts against transnational organized crime, terrorism, and illicit trafficking, with a focus on criminal investigations, digital forensics, and cross-border intelligence exchange. At the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly in November 2025, Somalia emphasized its commitment to expanding its role within the organization and gaining technical assistance to bolster domestic security capabilities.
