Somaliland President appoints new military and police commanders

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has appointed Lieutenant General Nimcaan Yusuf Osman Gaaxnuug as the new military commander and Abdirahman Abdillahi Hassan Abdi Dhere as the new police chief.

Gaaxnuug, the youngest officer ever appointed to the highest military position, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in military science from universities in Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, focusing on international security and military leadership. He is also pursuing a PhD in advanced military studies at a university in Taiwan.

Recently, President Irro has appointed several young men to directorial positions across ministries and agencies, signalling a trend toward youth leadership in the government.

Abdi Dhere, the new police chief, previously served as the military spokesman and was among the highest-ranking officers in the military.

Former police chief Mohamed Aden Saqadhi ‘Dabagale’ has been appointed as the president’s special advisor on police affairs. Dabagale is one of Somaliland’s most seasoned military officers and holds military science degrees from institutions in the United Kingdom.

Former military chief Nuuh Ismail Taani, who served as the longest-tenured commander in the military, has also been named as the president’s advisor on military affairs.

A Wednesday presidential decree announced a 50% salary increase for the armed forces, fulfilling part of President Irro’s campaign promise to boost army pay. The salary increase, scheduled to take effect in the 2025 fiscal year, is the first of several annual raises the president committed to during his campaign. He had promised a 250% increase in military salaries during his first term.

The decree also mandates the implementation of an IRIS Biometric Registration System for all Somaliland armed forces, with registration set to begin on February 1, 2025, and be completed within 30 days.