Thursday August 25, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre concluded his administration's first major meeting of the nation's federal cabinet ministers on Wednesday during the Cabinet Induction Ceremony.
The agenda focused on security sector reform, economic recovery, drought relief, amd constitutional review.The PM's office said that the inaugural meeting would serve as an orientation on how the government operates.
Barre told MPs that they are tasked with fulfilling the government's mandate and urged cooperation throughout federal ministries, adding that public confidence in Somalia's fledgling institutions cannot easily be won back.
"The Somali people, who have entrusted you, are waiting for you to deliver our mission, which I hope we will succeed. The Prime Minister's office is working to coordinate, direct and strengthen government agencies. We must complete what has been started and work day and night."
The two-day assembly also included senior advisors, civil servants, and the security sector.
In the evening, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended a dinner for the new ministers.
The President told ministers and government staff to prioritize the crippling drought facing Somalia. International experts have warned that cooperation and urgency will be critical if Somalia is to stave off a famine.
"The responsibility you have taken is historic. It can save the Somali people and this government. We can achieve this by uniting our strength and wisdom and stand together to rid the country of drought, conflict and insecurity."
On Tuesday, Mohamud told reporters in Mogadishu that his government would wage "total war" against the militant insurgency group Al Shabaab after the group massacred at least 21 people during a multi-day hotel siege.
In early August, PM Barre unveiled his heavily anticipated 75-member cabinet, which included Al-Shabab's former deputy leader Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansoor as the Minister of Religious Affairs and Senator Salah Ahmed Jama as Deputy Prime Minister.
During the announcement, Somalia's government said that it would be creating a new ministry to tackle climate change, and folding the ministries of constitution and justice into the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.