Somalia’s Intelligence chief Abdullahi Ali Sanbaloolshe now says that securing the country is top of his priority.
According to Sanbaloolshe, he aims to not only strengthen national security but also restore confidence among the people of Somalia in their government’s ability to ensure safety and stability.
Since his appointment to the role in April 2024, he has focused on crucial security areas in efforts to enhance Somalia's security landscape.
These include reinforcing the country's security framework to safeguard citizens against internal and external threats as well as enhancing the intelligence capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to ensure more effective surveillance and data collection on potential threats.
He has also focused on Community engagement initiatives, where local populations are directly involved in security efforts, to combat terrorism.
Sanbaloolshe has also sought to strengthen partnerships with international allies to share intelligence and resources and target the militant group al Shabaab by implementing strategies designed to dismantle their networks.
He has also emphasized the need for training personnel within NISA to build a more skilled and capable workforce that can respond effectively to security challenges.
The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia appointed Sanbaloolshe as the new director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency in April.
He succeeded Mahad Mohamed Salad, who had led the agency since May 2022. The appointment marked Sanbaloolshe’s third time in the role.
Before his appointment, he was a member of the 11th House of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia, elected in March 2022.
Political analysts in Somalia perceive Sanbaloolshe as a seasoned leader capable of reinvigorating momentum in this ongoing conflict, making him a critical asset in the pursuit of national security.
They say his appointment as the Director of NISA is a step forward in addressing Somalia's complex security challenges.
He has been instrumental in the fight against al Shabaab, in the Hiiraan region, where he has mobilised local communities and reinvigorated their efforts to stand against the militant group.
His previous work in Hiiraan before he was reappointed had already established a firm foundation for community resistance against al Shabaab, leading to significant improvements in local security by driving extremists from their territories.
In the months preceding his appointment, forces on the front lines had faced numerous setbacks in the battle against al Shabaab.