Whims of the Prime Minister: Summoning Cabinet Ministers to Hastily Implement National Consultative Meeting Resolutions

On Thursday June 1, 2023, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamsa Abdi Barre, presided over an incredibly riveting and intense weekly cabinet meeting in Mogadishu. Mr. Barre explicitly instructed his cabinet members to expeditiously execute the political accords and judgments that were agreed upon during the recent National Consultative Meeting in the nation’s capital.

During the meeting, Mr. Barre vehemently asserted that the implementation of the electoral process agreement presents an extraordinary opportunity for the Somali people to determine their own fates. He boldly proclaimed, “As a government, we are obligated to avail our citizens the chance to democratically elect their leaders.”

Moreover, Prime Minister Barre reasserted his government’s unwavering dedication to initiating the second phase of the anti-Al-Shabaab operation in the region. He urged his ministers to be actively involved by visiting the war zones and motivating the troops on the frontlines.

Mr. Barre passionately expressed, “Our objective is not solely to catalyze a new era in politics, but also a security movement that will restore serenity to our nation, finalize pending debts, and formulate a new constitution.”

The politicians of Somalia came to a decision to renovate the state’s political system following four extremely demanding days of talks in Mogadishu. The National Consultative Council, which includes the federal leaders of the region such as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, four provincial leaders, and the Mayor of Mogadishu, agreed to introduce direct elections as early as next year. They also determined to harmonize the election schedules and institute a presidential system for the nation.

In addition, the leaders agreed that just two political factions would vie for power in the country, despite the absence of any restrictions on the number of political parties in the current political parties law.

To the detriment of the nascent political structure, several politicians, including previous government leaders, have contested these agreements and claimed that they breach the constitution and disturb the power-sharing arrangements in the region. The government of Puntland, which is one of the nation’s federal member states, has also hindered the plan. Consequently, the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, has failed to attend the previous two National Consultative Meetings in Mogadishu and Baidoa.