Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, announced a significant reshuffle in his government on April 27, appointing a new defence minister to strengthen efforts against the ongoing Islamist insurgency.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, who previously served as the foreign minister and national security chief, takes over as defence minister, replacing Jibril Abdirashid. The reshuffle also saw the appointment of Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi as the second deputy prime minister and Abdisaalan Abdi Ali Daay as the new foreign minister.
The changes come at a critical time as Somalia faces increasing challenges from al Shabaab militants, who have made recent territorial gains. Al Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-aligned group, briefly seized villages within 50 kilometers of Mogadishu, sparking concerns over the capital’s safety. Although Somali forces have managed to regain control of these villages, the militant group continues to advance in rural areas.
