Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab as the new Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, replacing Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, according to a presidential decree issued Wednesday.
The decree highlighted Muungaab’s prior experience and track record in public service, noting his previous tenure in the same role in 2014 and his work as Chairman of the Military Court. The president emphasized that the appointment is rooted in Muungaab’s knowledge and contribution to rebuilding Mogadishu and advancing public services in the capital.
“The President based this appointment on the knowledge and work experience of Governor Hassan Muungaab, who previously held this position and played a positive role in the reconstruction of Mogadishu,” the statement from Villa Somalia read.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud tasked the new mayor with prioritizing reconciliation, urban development, community-security collaboration, and expanding essential services in Mogadishu — core goals of the administration’s national agenda.
While no official explanation was given for the removal of Mayor Amiir, local sources suggest that political pressure from influential sub-clans within the Abgal community played a role in the decision. The timing of the reshuffle coincides with a high-profile opposition conference currently underway in Mogadishu.
The opposition gathering, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and several other former leaders, aims to address issues of political legitimacy, security, and election preparations, with plans to release a joint communiqué and form a formal opposition leadership structure.
The federal government has issued security warnings in the lead-up to the conference, cautioning against the mobilization of armed guards and stressing the need to maintain public safety in the capital.
Muungaab’s appointment is widely seen as a strategic move by President Mohamud to reassert control over the capital, calm internal party tensions, and possibly counterbalance opposition influence during a politically sensitive moment.
