By Sayyid Omar

Mahad Mohamed Salad has been appointed for the second time as the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Previously, he has served three consecutive terms as a member of the Somali Parliament and has held prominent positions within the Somali Cabinet, including appointments as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Minister at the Presidency.

In an emergency session held today, the Somali Cabinet approved today the Interior Ministry’s proposal to reappoint Mahad Mohamed Salad as the Director of NISA.

A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister noted: “Mr. Mahad Mohamed Salad, Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, possesses extensive knowledge and experience in intelligence and national security operations. He has previously held various key positions including Minister, Member of Parliament, and Director of NISA.”

The Cabinet also expressed its gratitude to the outgoing Director, Cabdullaahi Maxamed Cali Sanbaloolshe, for his service and the contributions he made to the agency during his tenure.

Who is Mahad Mohamed Salad?

Mahad Mohamed Salad was born in 1980 in Dhusamareb, the capital city of the Galgaduud region.

He completed his primary and part of his secondary education in Somalia, while also studying in Kenya. He pursued his higher education at Cairo University in Egypt, where he completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies.

Mahad Salad entered politics in 2011 as a founding member of the PDP party. In 2012, he was first elected as a Member of the House of the People (Lower House) of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

In 2013, he joined the Somali Cabinet as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, then he moved to the Presidency where he was assigned as the Minister of State for the Presidency. He was re-elected as a parliamentarian in 2016 and again in 2021.

On May 26, 2022, following President Hassan Sheikh’s re-election, Mahad Salaad was appointed Director of NISA. He served in this role until April 4, 2024, when he was succeeded by Cabdullaahi Maxamed Cali Sanbaloolshe, who held the position from June 1, 2024. The agency is now scheduled to return to the leadership of Mahad Mohamed Salad.