A major rift emerged between Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Chief of Police Asad Diyano, with sources reporting PM Hamza's plan to remove Diyano while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud favors him as a challenger to Puntland President Said Abdulahi Deni, according to TheDailySomalia update posted between 7:15 and 8:15 AM UTC on February 7, 2026. Recent mediation efforts between PM Hamza and Chief of Police Diyano have had little effect, TheDailySomalia reported. The tension highlights internal divisions within Somalia's government. In South West State, President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen reaffirmed his administration's commitment to safeguarding peace, development, and state authority, stating no group will be permitted to undermine stability, as posted by BaidoaOnline during the reporting window. Separately, a post praised Patriot Arega Muluneh, identified as a Bren gunner and hero of the Amhara struggle in Ethiopia's South Amhara Zone under Asamnew Command, describing him as a courageous leader not fearing death, according to Geteriew1 on X.
