Somalia’s Prime Minister reshuffles cabinet, reassigns key ministers

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announced a minor cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, reassigning three senior officials, according to a decree issued by his office.

Under the changes, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, who had served a brief term as Minister of Defence, was appointed as the second Deputy Prime Minister.

The former second Deputy Prime Minister, Abdisalaan Abdi Ali Dhay, was moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replacing Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. Fiqi, in turn, was appointed as the new Minister of Defence.

The reshuffle, shared with the media by a government spokesperson, had been anticipated for weeks and involved the rotation of current cabinet members rather than the introduction of new faces.

Analysts say the move reflects leadership efforts to manage dissatisfaction within the cabinet without carrying out broader reforms. Public confidence in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration has been strained in recent months amid mounting security challenges and accusations of mismanagement.

Fiqi’s transfer to the Ministry of Defence comes at a critical time for Somalia, as the country faces heightened threats from Al-Shabaab insurgents. A former intelligence chief, Fiqi is known for his outspoken stance on security matters.

It remains unclear whether the reshuffle will address the growing public concerns over the government’s handling of security and governance.