Wednesday March 25, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the appointment of General Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud as the new commander of the Somali Custodial Corps, replacing General Mahad Abdirahman.
The appointment proposed by the Ministry of Justice was endorsed during the cabinet’s weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. General Hamud has previously served in senior leadership roles, including positions within the police and intelligence services, as well as ministerial posts.
Relations between the federal government and Southwest State have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks following constitutional amendments approved by both houses of the Federal Parliament. The revisions, which extend the mandate of federal institutions from four to five years, have been rejected by Southwest, Puntland and Jubbaland authorities and several opposition groups.
Southwest State has also joined the two other regional administrations in formally suspending ties with the federal government, accusing Mogadishu of interference in its internal affairs.
Federal officials argue that President Laftagareen’s term has expired, accusing him of governing without legal mandate. Conversely, Southwest leaders and their supporters view federal actions as unconstitutional interference in regional affairs.
Southwest State recently suspended all commercial and private flights to and from its airports, citing security concerns, while Mogadishu has been accused of deploying troops to parts of the region.
