The re-emergence of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) in Galmudug is offering renewed hope for residents worn down by relentless Al-Shabaab offensives and the ineffective leadership of state president Ahmed Abdi Kariye “Qoor Qoor.” Once the most effective local force against Al-Shabaab, ASWJ was dismantled in 2020 through a Federal Government-backed operation, leaving a dangerous security vacuum. In the absence of ASWJ, Al-Shabaab swiftly expanded its presence, capturing territory and deepening instability in Galmudug. Led by respected spiritual leaders Moallim Mohamoud and Sheik Shakir, ASWJ’s return has been welcomed by the local population and elements of the Somali National Army (SNA). Their declaration of holy war against Al-Shabaab is seen as a credible call to action, supported by disaffected former members within the national forces. However, Qoor Qoor views ASWJ as a political threat and is mobilising state and clan forces against them, despite the pressing danger posed by Al-Shabaab.
Somalia’s caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Hussein Roble, is facing a mounting whisper campaign aimed at discrediting him ahead of the October elections. Initially driven by Farmaajo loyalists, the effort now includes ultranationalists, Islamists, and some regional leaders who view Roble as too close to certain clans and foreign governments, notably Kenya, Egypt, and the UAE. Among the key figures in this shifting political landscape is Galmudug President Abdi Kariye Qoor Qoor, a seasoned political operator with a history of alliances and rivalries. Once a key ally of Farmaajo and former intelligence chief Fahad Yasin, Qoor Qoor has recently reconciled with Puntland’s President Said Abdulla Deni. Together, they attempted to convene a meeting of regional leaders excluding Roble a move widely seen as an attempt to sideline him before abruptly cancelling the gathering.