RH: The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), has appointed Brigadier General Nimcaan Yusuf Osman as the new Chief of the Somaliland Armed Forces. He replaces the former commander, General Nuux Ismaaciil Taani, who held the position for nearly ten years.
The appointment of the new military commander came a day after President Cirro issued a presidential decree to enumerate the various branches of the Somaliland Armed Forces and announced a 50% annual salary increase for the next five years. This initiative was part of his election campaign promises.
Background of the New Somaliland Military Commander
Nimcaan Yusuf Osman (Gaaxnuug) becomes the youngest person to be appointed as the head of the Somaliland Armed Forces since their establishment in 1994. More than seven commanders have served in this position over the years.
Born in 1985, Brigadier General Nimcaan Yusuf Osman is 40 years old. He has spent the past two decades serving in the military, holding various positions within the Somaliland Armed Forces.
Nimcaan Yusuf received his primary education in Hargeisa and later pursued higher education specializing in military leadership and management.
Colonel Xaamuud Maxamuud Diiriye, a close friend and former colleague of the new commander, described him as "a young, energetic individual with strong decision-making abilities, who dedicates most of his time to his work."
Military Positions Previously Held by the Young Officer
In 2006, Nimcaan Yusuf was among a group of students sent to Ethiopia for military training, where he attended the Ethiopian Officer Cadet College, specializing in ground force leadership. He was among the young officers who graduated from Ethiopia with military knowledge. In 2011, he was appointed commander of a commando unit within the Somaliland military, known as "Gama'diid."
From 2016 to 2020, he was involved in military operations within the Presidential Guard. Before his recent appointment, he served as Deputy Head of External Relations in the Somaliland National Army.
He has also undergone military training and education in institutions located in Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan.
Although the new commander joined the military at a young age and received various forms of training, his career has primarily focused on administration rather than combat operations. Colonel Cabdiqaadir Xaamud Cumar (Saadiq), who worked alongside him, confirmed that "he has not participated in any significant military operations or battles, as most of his tenure coincided with a period of peace."
It is worth mentioning that the public applauded the appointment of the new commander, and the forces warmly welcomed him.
Key Challenges Facing the New Commander
Since the 2023 Goojacadde conflict, concerns have arisen regarding the Somaliland military forces stationed in Oog District, Sool Region. The opposition party, Waddani, criticized the previous administration’s management of the military.
The 40-year-old commander faces numerous challenges, including implementing President Cirro's plan, which mandates a comprehensive military census and a 50% annual salary increase over the next five years, reaching a total increment of 250%. The implementation of these measures is set to commence within 30 days, as stated by President Cirro.
Colonel Cabdiqaadir Xaamud Cumar (Saadiq) told the BBC that among the expectations for the new commander is the restructuring of the national forces. "He is expected to reorganize the forces, implement the salary increase plan, and carry out a thorough census of the troops. These are significant tasks ahead," he said.
Security analyst Muuse Xaaji Cabaydh highlighted that a critical issue for the new commander will be maintaining and strengthening military cooperation between Somaliland and Ethiopia, particularly between their respective military leaders. "One of the key areas will be enhancing the trust and collaboration between the Ethiopian and Somaliland forces through training programs, educational exchanges, and intelligence sharing," he stated.
He added that addressing the presence of civilian forces in Eastern Somaliland will be another challenge. "Coordinating the forces will require strong leadership, fairness, and transparency, which cannot be taken lightly," he said.
sources BBC