Saturday, December 13, 2025
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre dismissed two cabinet ministers and named their replacements on Saturday in a targeted reshuffle intended to speed up government operations and reinforce delivery of services, according to a decree issued by his office.
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Ambassador Jamaal Mohamed Hassan was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry, replacing lawmaker Mahamud Geesood. Senator Ayuub Ismail Yusuf was named Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction, taking over from Dr. Elmi Mahamud Nur.
Government spokesman Abdinasser Sahansaho said the appointments take immediate effect. He added that the reshuffle is designed to “strengthen the performance of federal institutions” as the government advances its political, economic and reconstruction agenda.
The changes arrive amid pressure on the administration to accelerate reforms and enhance services across regions recently retaken from al-Shabab. With the government prioritizing stabilization, economic oversight and infrastructure development have emerged as critical levers for consolidating gains and restoring public confidence.
- Commerce and Industry: Ambassador Jamaal Mohamed Hassan replaces Mahamud Geesood
- Public Works and Reconstruction: Senator Ayuub Ismail Yusuf replaces Dr. Elmi Mahamud Nur
No further details were provided on the rationale for the dismissals. The prime minister’s office framed the move as part of a broader push to align the cabinet with the government’s near-term targets, including improving the business environment, facilitating trade and accelerating post-conflict rebuilding.
The Commerce and Industry portfolio plays a central role in shaping trade policy, regulating markets and licensing, and courting investment. Somalia’s private sector, long resilient despite insecurity and weak infrastructure, has pressed for clearer rules, predictable oversight and stronger support for exporters and small businesses. The ministry also intersects with anti-corruption and revenue efforts, especially as customs and ports management influence public finances and regional trade corridors.
The Ministry of Public Works and Reconstruction is pivotal to Somalia’s recovery, responsible for roads, public buildings and urban services that underpin daily life and commerce. Rehabilitating damaged or neglected infrastructure—particularly in newly secured districts—has been a hallmark of federal and state-level priorities, with road connectivity, water systems and public facilities often cited by communities as top needs. The ministry’s effectiveness can determine how quickly markets reconnect, health and education services resume, and displaced families return.
While the prime minister’s office did not provide a timetable beyond the decree’s immediate effect, the appointments signal urgency as the government seeks to convert security gains into tangible improvements on the ground. Effective coordination with federal member states, donors and private contractors will be decisive in turning ministerial mandates into measurable progress.
Official portraits of the newly appointed ministers were released alongside the announcement, underscoring the administration’s message of continuity and momentum in the face of complex political and security challenges.
Saturday’s reshuffle is the latest in a series of steps by the Barre government to tighten implementation and accelerate delivery across core portfolios. With expectations rising in liberated areas—and scrutiny of federal institutions intensifying—the two ministries will be watched closely for early signs of policy clarity, budget discipline and on-the-ground results.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
