Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, reshuffled his cabinet on Sunday, appointing a new defence minister as the government continues its efforts to counter Islamist insurgents.
The reason for the changes was not disclosed. The reshuffle was announced by the government spokesperson via a video posted on the government’s official Facebook page.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, a former foreign minister and national security chief, was named the new Minister of Defence, replacing Jibril Abdirashid. In addition, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi was appointed as the new Second Deputy Prime Minister, while Abdisaalan Abdi Ali Daay was announced as the new Foreign Minister.
The cabinet changes come at a critical time as Somalia battles intensified offensives by the al Qaeda-linked group, al Shabaab. The militants recently captured villages just 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the capital, Mogadishu, raising concerns about the potential threat to the city. Although Somali forces have since retaken those villages, al Shabaab remains active and continues to make advances in rural areas.
The reshuffle occurs amid growing uncertainty over the future of international security support for Somalia. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency since 2007, seeking to overthrow the government and impose its strict interpretation of Sharia law across the country.
