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.
From 1986 to 1988, he was the top military commander of the 26th Sector (the area of Somaliland), which is similar to being the head of a region or province. In September 1990, he became both the defense minister and acting head of state.