From 1986 to 1988, as a general, he was the military commander of the 26th Sector (the region of Somaliland) and in September 1990 he was appointed as minister of defense and substitute head of state.
Between 1986 and 1988, he held the position of a high-ranking military officer, overseeing the 26th Sector in Somaliland. Later, in September 1990, he took on additional responsibilities as the country's defense minister and interim leader.