MOGADISHU, (HAN) — A senior Somali military official, General Dahir Adan Elmi known as Indha Qarsheha, accused the former administration of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of weakening the Somali National Army (SNA) through controversial reforms made in 2018 to please foreign powers.
Speaking to local media, General Indha Qarshe said the inability of the national army to perform effectively in recent years is the result of political interference and foreign-influenced restructuring decisions introduced under Farmaajo’s government.
“Our army’s failure to function properly stems from the changes made by Farmaajo’s administration in 2018, which were designed to satisfy certain foreign countries rather than strengthen our national defense,” General Indha Qarshe stated.
He noted that these changes disrupted the army’s command structure, reduced morale among troops, and undermined the military’s capacity to combat security threats across Somalia.
The former military commander also called for a review of the reforms and urged the current government to prioritize rebuilding a professional, independent, and unified national army capable of defending the country without external interference.
General Indha Qarshe, who has long been regarded as one of the key figures in Somalia’s military leadership, said that restoring confidence in the army requires both political will and transparent national policies free from foreign influence.
The Somali National Army continues to face challenges including inadequate funding, limited equipment, and ongoing operations against the militant group al-Shabaab.
