By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, 6 January 2026 Somalia’s former intelligence director, Fahad Yasin, returned to the capital on Tuesday following nearly four years in abroad.
Yasin, a key figure in the previous administration, departed Mogadishu on May 16, 2022, immediately following the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. His return marks a significant shift in the country's political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.
His return follows his recent emergence as a central figure in a new political coalition known as Midowga Haybad Qaran (National Pride Alliance). The alliance, which includes several influential former officials such as former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, aims to position itself as a major opposition force.
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Yasin’s comeback coincides with a formal break from his long-standing partnership with former President Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo". The two were the architects of the "Nabad iyo Nolol" (Peace and Life) movement that governed Somalia from 2017 to 2022.
In late 2025, Yasin announced his departure from the movement, which has seen its domestic influence wane since Farmajo relocated to Doha, Qatar, following his electoral defeat.
