Somalia has returned Major General Mohamed Ali Barise to the top leadership of its national army, with the experienced military officer officially taking over as Chief of Staff of the Somali National Army (SNA) from Major General Madey Nuuray Sheikh Ufurow.
The handover ceremony took place on Thursday, October 29, following Barise’s appointment on October 25, 2026. His return marks a new chapter in the military career of an officer who previously held the same position between 2019 and 2020.
Barise assumes command with more than two decades of experience spanning military operations, command, defence policy and regional security cooperation. His previous assignments have included senior roles in Somalia’s security establishment and defence cooperation with neighbouring countries.
The handover was attended by the Chairman of the Handover Committee, Major General Mahmoud Sheikh Ali, popularly known as Dable Baylood, alongside officers representing various SNA commands and units.
During the ceremony, Dable Baylood commended Ufurow for his service and dedication while congratulating Barise on his appointment. He wished the incoming army chief success as he takes on the responsibilities of leading the country’s military.
Barise returns to a position he held from 2019 to 2020
Barise is returning to the army’s senior leadership after six years away from the post. During his first tenure as Chief of Staff between 2019 and 2020, he oversaw reforms targeting the army’s command structure, training, military doctrine and operational capabilities.
His latest appointment comes after several years in senior security and defence roles, giving him experience in both military command and the coordination of operations involving different security agencies.
Before being appointed army chief, Barise commanded the Joint Operations Command Centre in Mogadishu, where he coordinated security operations involving multiple agencies and international partners across Somalia.
His experience in operational planning and coordination is among the responsibilities he brings to the position as he resumes leadership of the SNA.
Between 2024 and 2026, Barise served as Military and Defence Attaché at the Somali Embassy in Kenya, where he worked on bilateral and regional defence cooperation.
His regional security experience also includes the establishment of the Frontline States Task Force in 2023. The initiative brought together Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, countries that share security concerns in the Horn of Africa.
In the same year, he served as Senior Defence Advisor at Somalia’s Ministry of Defence. He had previously been Deputy National Security Advisor to the President from 2022 to 2023.
Barise also served as a Senior Military Advisor to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) in South Sudan, supporting ceasefire monitoring under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework.
These assignments have given him experience in national security coordination, military diplomacy and regional cooperation.
Barise’s military background includes professional training and higher education in defence and strategic studies.
He is a graduate of Kenya’s National Defence College and holds a Master of Science degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.
His military training also includes the Maneuver and Staff Course at Fort Benning in the United States and the Captain Career Course in Uganda. He was commissioned as an officer through the Sudan Military Academy.