Mogadishu — The newly appointed Commander of the Somali National Army, General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, on Tuesday formally assumed office from the outgoing commander, Lieutenant General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, during an official handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence in Mogadishu.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, the Minister of Defence, senior cabinet members, high-ranking military officials, and representatives of the international community, according to multiple sources.

Security was significantly tightened in and around the Ministry of Defence compound, with several key roads closed and secured by elite units responsible for protecting senior government officials, reflecting the high-level nature of the event.

General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud was appointed Commander of the Somali National Army following a decision by the Council of Ministers on 29 January 2026, replacing Lieutenant General Odowaa Yusuf Rage as part of a broader reorganisation of the country’s military leadership.

The leadership transition comes at a critical time as the Federal Government continues efforts to strengthen command structures and enhance operational effectiveness within the Somali National Army.