Mahad Salad returns: What it means for NISA and Somalia?

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Mahad Mohamed Salad’s reinstatement as Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) signals a strategic shift by the federal government to revive intelligence reform and reinvigorate the fight against al-Shabaab as the country enters a pivotal security transition.

Approved during an extraordinary cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Salad’s return brings back a seasoned and reform-oriented leader at a time of escalating militant threats and growing demands for institutional accountability.

Reform-minded leadership returns

Salad served as NISA chief from August 2022 to April 2023, a period widely seen as a period of stabilization and recovery for Somalia’s intelligence sector.

Under his leadership, NISA implemented structural reforms that improved internal oversight while advancing critical legislation — including the passage of the National Intelligence and Security Law — that clarified the agency’s mandate and introduced legal checks.

Many within government and diplomatic circles view Salad’s return as a move to restore professionalism and continuity within the agency. It also reflects the confidence of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has steadily reappointed trusted figures across Somalia’s security apparatus since his re-election in 2022.

One of Salad’s most notable achievements during his previous tenure was stabilizing Mogadishu, which had been rocked by near-daily al-Shabaab attacks.

His leadership markedly improved the security situation in the capital, with coordinated intelligence operations disrupting militant networks and reducing attacks to near zero in certain districts.

According to security sources and independent observers, NISA under Salad significantly enhanced human intelligence gathering, expanded surveillance operations, and improved coordination with city military and police units.

These efforts led to preemptive raids, the dismantling of sleeper cells, and an improved early warning system that prevented large-scale bombings in downtown Mogadishu for months.

“His tenure saw the most noticeable drop in attacks in the capital in recent years,” said a Western security official stationed in Mogadishu. “The difference was not just tactical but structural — a better-organized agency that acted on intelligence rather than reacting to crisis.”

Renewed push against al-Shabaab

Salad’s return coincides with the second phase of Somalia’s counterinsurgency campaign, which aims to expel al-Shabaab from remaining strongholds in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Southwest states.

His prior success in Mogadishu has raised expectations that Salad can replicate similar gains in other urban centers — or at least bring intelligence coordination back to a level necessary for maintaining military momentum and public safety.

The decision to replace outgoing NISA chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbaloolshe” was not without controversy.

Backed by a politically influential clan, Sanbaloolshe had resisted efforts to remove him and reportedly viewed Salad’s appointment as a political slight. However, the federal government defended the reshuffle as part of an ongoing institutional realignment to improve operational effectiveness.

This move is also consistent with President Mohamud’s broader pattern: since returning to power, he has replaced and, in some cases, reinstated former military and intelligence leaders to build a trusted and cohesive security team. Salad is now the third such figure to be reappointed.

Unexpected political endorsements

In a surprising twist, former NISA director Fahad Yasin — previously one of Salad’s most outspoken critics — publicly congratulated him on social media, calling his reappointment a “welcome return.” The message, including respectful praise for Sanbaloolshe, hints at a possible thaw among Somalia’s rival power factions.

Fahad had once labeled Salad’s appointment a “national threat,” underscoring the dramatic reversal. Analysts see this as a sign of political recalibration or at least temporary coexistence among key figures in Somalia’s fractious intelligence and political spheres.

Over the years, NISA has been criticized for politicization, internal divisions, and lapses in accountability. With Somalia preparing to take full responsibility for its security, the need for a credible, functional, and apolitical intelligence agency has never been more urgent.

Supporters of Salad point to his legal background, structured management style, and track record in Mogadishu as proof of his ability to professionalize the agency. His return is expected to usher reforms to restore public trust and international confidence in Somalia’s intelligence sector.

“Mahad brought order and coordination during a crisis,” said a former government advisor. “Now, with a new security phase underway, his leadership is needed more than ever.”

Mahad Salad’s return as NISA director is not merely a personnel change—it is a strategic decision aimed at restoring security in the capital, revitalizing stalled reforms, and preparing Somalia for a post-ATMIS future.

With a record of stabilizing Mogadishu and enhancing intelligence effectiveness, Salad’s leadership is critical to safeguarding Somalia’s fragile security gains and building an intelligence agency that serves the nation, not politics.