Monday July 28, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Bilan Bile Mahmoud as Secretary-General of the Banadir Regional Administration, replacing Faysal Arale Afrah.
The appointment was made official on Monday during a handover ceremony at Mogadishu City Hall. Banadir Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, presided over the transition and thanked Arale for his service.
“Your leadership is needed to move the office forward,” Muungaab told Mahmoud, urging her to expedite administrative tasks and implement key development initiatives critical to the region’s future.
The secretary-general oversees the daily operations of the Banadir Regional Administration, which governs Mogadishu and surrounding districts. The role is considered one of the most influential in Somali local governance.
Mahmoud becomes one of the few women to hold a senior leadership post in Banadir’s history. She previously served as a senior adviser within local government and has been involved in municipal reform efforts.
The ceremony was attended by government ministers, lawmakers, senior civil servants, and regional staff, signalling high-level support for the transition.
Faysal Arale, who had held the post since 2023, confirmed his dismissal earlier in the day, noting that he was informed while attending a separate event in the city. No formal reason was given for the leadership change.
The Banadir administration plays a central role in implementing federal policies in Mogadishu, managing urban services, and coordinating humanitarian efforts in one of Somalia’s most densely populated regions.