Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano .
Newly appointed Somali Police Chief Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano (far right) officially receives command from outgoing Chief Major General Sulub Ahmed Firin (far left) during a handover ceremony at the Somali Police Headquarters in Mogadishu, as Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag (center) oversees the transition.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano officially took the helm of the Somali Police Force on Tuesday in a ceremony held at the police headquarters in Mogadishu, marking a new chapter in the leadership of the nation’s security apparatus.
General Diyaano, who hails from Puntland, replaces Major General Sulub Ahmed Firin, who now serves as the Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation after more than a year as police chief.
His appointment, approved by Somalia’s Cabinet last Thursday, was formalized as Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, symbolically handed over the leadership responsibilities.
Diyaano’s appointment also carries political weight. A former presidential candidate in Puntland’s 2019 and 2024 elections, he remains a prominent figure in Puntland politics and a critic of President Said Abdullahi Deni’s administration. His leadership of the opposition Mideeye Party and his prior military influence reinforce his political standing. Some analysts suggest that his appointment may be an effort by the federal government to improve strained relations with Puntland.
During the ceremony, Diyaano and Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, reviewed the police force’s leadership structure and operations, signalling a renewed focus on reforming and professionalizing the force.
Diyaano brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having led the Puntland Security Force (PSF) from 2010 to 2018. Under his command, the PSF became one of Somalia’s most effective counterterrorism units, conducting critical operations such as the Galgala Campaign against Al-Shabaab and the Qandala Campaign to reclaim territory from ISIS-linked militants. Backed by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the PSF developed into a formidable force, benefiting from international training, intelligence, and logistical support.
His leadership comes at a time when Somalia’s security forces are under immense pressure to modernize. In his first address as police chief, General Diyaano called on the force to redouble their efforts in maintaining national security, protecting civilians, and upholding the laws governing the police force.
