Growing Rift Over Galmudug Leadership at Villa Somalia

MOGADISHU – A dangerous political rift has emerged at the core of Somalia’s federal government and security apparatus, threatening to push another regional state into violent conflict with the central administration as disagreements over who will lead Galmudug reveal emerging fractures in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s closest circle.

The crisis stems from a bitter disagreement between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mahad Salad, head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). The dispute became public when Salad decided to contest the presidency of Galmudug, directly opposing the federal government’s preferred candidate.

Power Sharing Deal Collapses

Informed sources revealed to local media that President Hassan Sheikh, following his return from Djibouti where he participated in President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh’s inauguration, privately advised one of his key political allies – a businessman with notable control over income from the Mira (khat) trade – to prepare for a presidential campaign in Galmudug. This action reportedly angered NISA Director Mahad Salad, who has emerged as one of the president’s most reliable political and security confidants within Villa Somalia in recent years.

Political observers indicate that the conflict relates to a wider power distribution agreement discreetly negotiated among influential figures in Mogadishu and Djibouti. President Hassan Sheikh was said to have guaranteed representatives connected to the Djiboutian administration that former Somali police chief and current federal parliamentarian Sadiq John would eventually assume leadership of NISA.

Under this arrangement, Mahad Salad was slated to move into regional politics and seek the Galmudug presidency, with Sadiq John positioned to take control of the intelligence agency. However, sources report the agreement began to collapse after President Hassan Sheikh changed direction and instead backed Libaan Ahmed Hassan, also known as Liban Shuluq, to run for the Galmudug presidency.

Intelligence Chief Issues Demands

During tense late-night meetings at the presidential palace involving Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the nation’s leadership failed to resolve the deadlock. President Mohamud reportedly gave an ultimatum to his intelligence chief, demanding unwavering support for the party’s chosen candidate. Salad was instructed to either support the official candidate or face dismissal.

The intelligence chief responded with several conditions. He called for the political impasse in Galmudug to be resolved peacefully, demanded an open and competitive election involving all rival candidates, and argued that the regional leadership should ultimately go to whoever could secure broad support. Salad also warned he would not support any effort that could lead to bloodshed in Dhuusamareeb, the regional capital.

In recent days, Mahad Salad reportedly informed both President Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre directly that he plans to run for the Galmudug presidency himself – a move considered in political circles to be a notable blow to Villa Somalia. Political sources also indicate that Salad has withdrawn from conversations about potentially extending the federal government’s term, stressing instead that his political attention is now completely dedicated to Galmudug.

Federal Military Buildup in Central Somalia

Somalia’s federal government has rapidly transported heavy military equipment to the central town of Dhusamareb. The armaments, delivered under strict federal supervision, will reportedly equip approximately 1,000 newly trained soldiers currently stationed near Dhusamareb, the administrative center of Galmudug. This deployment comes shortly after the federal government airlifted additional troops to the nearby district of Guriel.

These intense military developments occurred less than a week after the dramatic military ousting of Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, an event that has triggered widespread speculation about similar federal interventions in other areas.

Federal Government and Galmudug in Police Chief Dispute

A political standoff has emerged between the Federal Government and the Galmudug State administration following a controversial dual appointment for the position of Galmudug Police Chief. The confrontation began when the Federal Government announced the dismissal of the incumbent Galmudug Police Commander, Khaliif Abdulle Maalin, known as Ilkacase. In his place, federal authorities appointed Colonel Mohamed Dahir Abdulle, a high-ranking officer previously attached to the Presidential Guard at Villa Somalia.

In a swift and defiant response, Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoorqoor issued a state decree rejecting the federal move and officially reappointed Khaliif Ilkacase to the same post, effectively reinstating the commander sacked by Mogadishu. The conflicting decrees highlight deepening tensions over the constitutional jurisdiction of security appointments in Somalia’s federal member states.

Defense Minister Threatens Military Action

Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has warned that the federal government could use military force against federal member states opposing national plans, stating that the army would extend its authority across all parts of the country. In remarks delivered during a recent address, Fiqi criticized leaders of some federal member states for what he described as hostility toward the deployment of national forces.

“The federal system does not mean a regional state can say, ‘No one can enter,’ or that its doors are closed. There is no greater crime than a Somali leader announcing they have cut ties with the Somali government,” he said, adding that the military would intervene if necessary.

President Hassan Sheikh Seeks Regional Allies

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has privately signaled his intention to proceed with elections in three allied regional states before initiating broader federal electoral negotiations. During a private meeting with three core political allies, the President reportedly outlined a strategy to first secure the leadership of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and South West State.

The National Independent Electoral Commission has announced official election dates for the three federal member states. According to a commission statement, elections in South West State will be held on April 28, 2026, while Galmudug and Hirshabelle will vote on May 13, 2026.

South West State Intervention Sets Precedent

The federal government’s intervention in South West State followed the March 29 resignation of President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, who fled to Kenya after heavily armed Somali National Army troops and allied clan militias seized control of Baidoa. Laftagareen had been re-elected as South West State President prior to his ouster, receiving 66 votes from the administration’s lawmakers.

The South West State administration announced it was suspending all cooperation with the federal government, accusing Mogadishu of arming militias and attempting to oust the regional leader. The crisis spread rapidly, engulfing the security sector with rival directives issued to military and police commanders, leading to clashes in Baidoa and its outskirts.

Opposition Backs Regional States Against Federal Government

A coalition of Somali regional states and prominent political leaders has officially thrown its support behind Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, further isolating the federal government amid a rapidly deepening constitutional crisis.

The Somali Future Council, a powerful political alliance comprising the regional governments of Jubbaland and Puntland, alongside the Salvation Forum, issued a formal public statement directly endorsing Laftagareen’s challenge to the central government’s authority. The council declared complete support for Southwest State’s decision to conduct independent, free and fair regional elections.

The council explicitly accused President Mohamud’s administration of employing the Somali National Army for narrow political objectives, warning that such tactics critically endanger years of hard-won progress in rebuilding Somalia’s security institutions and risk reigniting widespread internal conflict.

Constitutional Deadlock Deepens

As relations between Villa Somalia, opposition groups, and regional leaders deteriorate over the presidential mandate extension and election framework, the country seems trapped in a high-stakes constitutional deadlock with no immediate solution in sight.

The intensifying disagreements arrive during a politically sensitive period for Somalia’s federal administration, which is already confronting increasing challenges related to electoral controversies, political legitimacy, and uncertainty about the nation’s forthcoming political shift. Analysts suggest that the power conflict developing in Galmudug could substantially influence Somalia’s political path in the coming months, especially as alignments within Villa Somalia continue to evolve privately.