| Chief of the General Staff | |
|---|---|
| Taliyaha Ciidanka Xooga Somaaliyeed (Somali) | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:The_Somali_National_Army_Logo.svg){kind=logo} Lesser coat of arms of the Armed Forces | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Somali_Army_Flag.svg) Flag of the Armed Forces | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Odowaa_Yusuf_Rageh_-_2021_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Ministry of Defense and Somali Armed Forces | |
| Style | Jaale |
| Type | Chief of staff |
| Status | Highest ranking military officer |
| Abbreviation | CXDS |
| Appointer | President of Somalia |
| Term length | 2 years |
| Formation | 12 April 1960 |
| First holder | Daud Abdulle Hirsi |
| Unofficial names | Commander of the Somali Armed Forces, Commander of the Somali National Army[1] |
The Chief of Defence Force (Somali: Taliyaha Ciidanka Xooga Somaaliyeed) is the professional head of the Somali Armed Forces. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of all branches of the Somali military (Army, Navy and Air Force) and thus is the direct superior to both the Chief of the Navy and the Chief of the Air Force. The post has however only been held by Army officers and the term limit is 2 years.[citation needed] Typically the rank held by the Chiefs is brigadier general, though some, notable Dahir Adan Elmi were granted the rank of major general.
Odawa Raage served from 22 August 2019 to June 2023. He was promoted to major-general in the last days of his tenure, being listed as such in a Somali government briefing of June 21, 2023.[2][3]He was reappointed on 9 November 2024.[4]
- ^ "Federal Government of Somalia's Weekly Briefing". 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Federal Government of Somalia's Weekly Briefing". 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Dismissed but Not Defeated: General Odowa Speaks Out on Armed Forces and Future Plans". 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Somali Cabinet Backs Former Army Chief for Return Stint". Bloomberg News. 10 November 2024.