Saturday February 4, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The newly appointed Somali police chief General Sulub Ahmed Firin, took office on Saturday, a week after the cabinet nominated him on January 26, 2023.
In a handover ceremony at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu, the former Chief of Police, General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijaar, transferred power to his successor.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, Minister of State for Security Mohamed Ali Hagaa, police officers and other guests attended the colourful event.
The new police commander promised that he would work to address the needs within the police force so that the Somali police could have more power.
"We will improve the army, especially the training and discipline of the police, as I have an experience in the police."
"We will focus on security, the fight against gangs, armed bandits, drug trafficking and anything else that could lead to insecurity," he added.
General Abdi Hijar, who hailed from Puntland' Sool region, has held the position since August 2019, while the newly appointed chief is from Jubbland.
The high-level security shuffle came days after Al Shabaab attacked the Banadir Regional Administration headquarters, which houses the Mogadishu Mayor's office, killing at least six people.
Somalia has launched a military offensive against the Al Qaeda-linked militant insurgency group Al Shabaab with the support of clan militias, and US drone strikes.