Wednesday September 8, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - Political tensions between Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Roble took an unexpected turn on Wednesday morning following the announcement by Somalia's intelligence agency that Farmaajo's appointee had taken up office as the nation's spy chief. The statement came less than 12 hours after Roble directed his pick to report to the office.
The National Intelligence and Security Agency announced in a tweet that Colonel Yasin Abdullahi Mohamud on Tuesday had 'taken office.'
"The new HSNQ Interim Commander, Colonel Yasin Abdullahi Mohamud, took office at the National Security and Intelligence Command. We pray to God to ease the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the President of," NISA said in a tweet.
The tweet comes as Pro Farmaajo troops have reportedly occupied NISA headquarters.
Prime Minister Roble directed General Bashir Jama Gobe Tuesday night to report to work and asked NISA staff to work with him.
There was no report yet on whether General Gobe went to the NISA headquarters to take up his new role.
The development is further likely to widen the rift between Farmaajo and Roble amidst fears their differences could derail the elections.