Puntland State president makes first major cabinet reshuffle in over two years

Wednesday April 1, 2026

Garowe (AX) — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni has unveiled a broad shake-up of his cabinet, regional governors and senior officials, carrying out his first major government overhaul in more than two years.

The decree, released Tuesday by the Puntland State Presidency, names a 43-member cabinet covering major ministries including justice, interior, health, planning, information and fisheries. The reshuffle appears aimed at tightening governance and adjusting the administration’s political course as conditions across the region continue to shift.

Significantly, the new lineup includes figures from the Sool region who previously served in the SSC-Khaatumo administration, a sign of widening political outreach. Among them is former SSC-Khaatumo Information Minister Najib Barkhadle, who has been named a state minister in the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Cabinet List

Abdurashid Barqadle Warsame – Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs
Abdi Hirsi Ali Qarjab – Minister of Interior
Mohamed Abdirahman Faroole – Minister of Health
Barre Yusuf Fatah – Minister of Planning
Abdiftaah Ugaas Yasin – Minister of Aviation and Airports
Hodan Said Hassan – Minister of Women and Family Affairs
Farhan Ali Hirsi – Minister of Information and Communications
Said Ali Jama Qorsheel – Minister of Animal Husbandry and Pasture
Aydaruus Ahmed Farah – Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mohamed Abdukadir Donyaale – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources
Abdinasiir Yusuf Haji Hirsi – Minister of Relief
Omar Abdisamad Yusuf Duux – Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
Mohamud Aaydid Dirir – Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism

Deputy Ministers

Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Qahiye – Justice and Religious Affairs
Abdirisaaq Mohamed Mahmoud – Internal Affairs, Federalism and Democracy
Abdirahmaan Yusuf Farah – Security
Axmed Yasin Saleh – Finance
Axmed Mohamed Bulhan – Finance
Mohamed Hassan Said – Planning
Musaddaq Mohamed Musaddaq – Education
Maryan Osman Ahmed Fangase – Health
Eng. Mohamed Ali Ismail – Ports
Bile Mohamud Ahmed Qabowsade – Information
Abdirashid Abdirisaaq Abdi – Fisheries and Marine Resources
Xasan Jamac Ismail – Animal Husbandry and Pasture
Abdirahmaan Khalif Farah – Energy and Mining
Mohamed Said Salah – Environment and Climate Change
Ahmed Said Qolombi – Agriculture and Irrigation
Riyad Ahmed Ali – Aid
Mohamud Mohamed Daad – Youth and Sports

Ministers of States

Farah Mohamud Aw Osman – Diaspora and Resettlement
Abdirahmaan Mohamud Osman – Public Works and Housing
Mohamed Mohamud Osman – Finance
Mohamed Jamac Abdirahman – Planning and International Relations
Ali Mohamed Osman – Health
Inj. Mohamed Isse Lacale – Aviation and Airports
Abdiqani Ahmed Ismail Dheero Dile – Fisheries and Marine Resources
Mohamed Abdicaafi Mohamed – Livestock and Pasture
Siiid Mohamed Aware – Agriculture and Irrigation
Ambassador Mohamed Ahmed Cawil – Energy, Minerals and Water
Najib Barqad Warsame – Information and Communications
Muktaar Ahmed Oday – Environment and Climate Change
Ahmed Ibrahim Awaale Biid – Trade, Industry and Investment

Governors

Mohamed Ibrahim Haaji Farah – Governor of Bari Region
Abdullahi Ismail Osman – Governor of Karkaar Region
Ali Hussein Mahmud Somali – Governor of Sanaag Region
Mohamed Farah Cisse – Governor of Haylaan Region
Muuse Salah Guuleed – Governor of Raas Asayr Region
Abdiqadir Ismail Samatar (Fod-Ade) – Governor of Nugaal Region
Abdiweli Jibriil Bayle – Governor of Mudug Region.