Somalia: Galmadug president unveils 23-member cabinet week after truce with opponents

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A 23-member cabinet was unveiled last week at Dhusamareb by newly elected regional President Ahmed Abdi Kariye alias Qoor Qoor, ending several months of stalemate which was coupled with violence.

The cabinet was announced barely a week after Qoor Qoor received instruments of power from his predecessor Ahmed Duale, who had initially declined to handover following January's controversial polls.

In a statement to the newsroom, Qoor Qoor, a close ally of federal leader Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, insisted that the cabinet was "inclusive" and "balanced" to the expectations of Galmadug people.

“I’m pleased to announce Galmudug’s new government and wish them all the best to serve the people of Galmudug. The new cabinet is inclusive and balanced," said the former federal minister, whose victory triggered violence and divisions.

"The members were selected on the basis of merit, competence, and integrity,” he added, warning that "this cabinet is answerable to the people and I will not hesitate to replace members of they underperform".

Notable among the appointees are federal MPs Sabir Nur Shurye and Ahmed Maalim Fiqi, who were appointed as ministers for Ports and Fisheries and Internal Security respectively, in a move that would bring stability.

The two federal MPs were critical of Mr. Qoor Qoor, whose competitors bolted out of February polls citing "manipulation" from the federal government. They are now set to forfeit their seats in Mogadishu and were just eight months shy from the expiry of their tenure.

Although Kariye, whose victory was recognized by the US and China under "difficult" circumstances reconciled with Duale, he will now have to bring to the table opposition leaders who boycotted the polls the members of the moderate Sufi group ASWJ.

In February, deadly clashes emerged between the Somali National Army [SNA] and ASWJ militia, who would later surrender after being overpowered. At least 20 people were killed, triggering condemnation from the opposition.

Mohamed Abdi Waare, the HirShabelle state president, is the only leader to have congratulated the new Galmadug administration, whose duty will be among others, to reconcile a much-disgruntled population.

"Congratulations to my brother, President Ahmed Abdi Karie Qoor Qoor for appointing a cabinet of heavyweights. This is good for Galmudug and good for Somalia. Barako," he said in a tweet.

But the new leadership could likely face opposition from a much radical team from Jubaland and Puntland, which has been critical of the federal government and its "loyalists" imposed across the states to aid in "rigging" December polls.

Farmajo, who is facing a re-election puzzle in December, is keen to stamp his authority in unsettled federal states. His pursuit has contributed to the strained relationships between him at Ahmed Madobe [Jubaland] and Said Deni of Puntland.

Last week, Villa Somalia also suffered an immense blow when Madobe, who had been facing resistance in his backyard, signed a post-election deal with his three competitors, ending an 8-month impasse in the region.

Among others, his opponents agreed to recognize his August "victory" besides supporting a unity government. In return, the agreement unveiled in Nairobi revealed, Madobe will not be seeking a third term.

The federal states have been facing interference from the federal government, besides struggling to contain the Al-Shabaab menace. Galmadug's developments give hope to the much-rooted dialogue by the international partners.

GAROWE ONLINE