Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announced a major cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, replacing key ministers as his government battles to contain a resurgent al-Shabaab insurgency. In a statement delivered by the government spokesperson via a video posted on Facebook, Barre appointed Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed — a former foreign minister and national security chief — as the new Defence Minister, replacing Jibril Abdirashid. Additionally, Barre named Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi as the new Second Deputy Prime Minister and Abdisaalan Abdi Ali Daay as the new Foreign Minister.
No official reason was given for the shake-up, but the timing comes as Somalia faces a renewed threat from al-Shabaab fighters, who recently captured several villages within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of the capital, Mogadishu, before government forces retook them. Despite these efforts, the militant group continues to gain ground in rural areas, exacerbating concerns over Somalia’s internal security as international support, including African Union troop deployments, faces an uncertain future.
Al-Shabaab, which has waged a brutal insurgency since 2007, seeks to overthrow Somalia’s federal government and impose a strict version of sharia law. The group remains highly active despite sustained counter-terrorism operations by Somali forces, backed by international partners. The reshuffle signals a possible recalibration of security priorities as Somalia races to stabilize its fragile institutions and protect urban centers from escalating militant threats.
