New Defence Ministry Spokesperson Appointed Amid Push to Strengthen Public Communications

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The federal government of Somalia has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Abdullahi Abdirahman as the new spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, as the government seeks to strengthen public communication on defence and security matters.

The appointment was announced by Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who said the move was part of efforts to improve the ministry’s public outreach and ensure the timely dissemination of official information.

In a statement, the ministry said the new spokesperson had been tasked with strengthening communication between the Defence Ministry, the media and the public, while providing regular updates on the ministry’s activities.

Fiqi urged Abdirahman to carry out his duties with professionalism and accountability, emphasizing the importance of delivering accurate and timely information on issues related to national defence.

The appointment comes as Somalia continues military operations against the Al-Shabaab insurgency while pursuing broader security sector reforms aimed at building more effective state institutions.

Government officials have increasingly sought to improve the flow of information from security agencies in recent years, saying regular communication is essential for informing the public and countering misinformation surrounding military operations.

The Defence Ministry did not provide further details on whether the appointment forms part of a wider restructuring of its communications department.