​Somalia: New Somalia's Interior Minister takes over office

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The new Minister of Interior of Somalia's Federal Government Abdi Farah Saed “Juha” has officially assumed the office from outgoing Minister Abdirahman Odowa during a hand-over ceremony held in the capital Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

The ceremony held in Saturday, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi, other high-ranking government officials and member of the Federal Parliament who oversaw the take-over event. 

The outgoing Interior Minister Odawa indicated in his farewell speech that much has been achieved under his tenure, including implementation of Federalism and resolving conflict that paved the way for his successor .

On his side, Juha highlighted that his Ministry is facing daunting challenges but reiterated focus to deliver needed services to the Somali people. "It is an honor to take over the office, and I would like to continue the work of my predecessor and respect the interim Federal charter,” said Juha.

MinisterJuha also stated that he will work towards unifying the country and Federal member states through national reconciliation efforts.

However, After the hand-over, the new Minister has paid a visit to the headquarters of the Interior Ministry in Mogadishu, which been damaged since the start of the civil war.

The Ministry headquarters has not been functional over the past two-decades, and now housing internally displaced families. The Minister said that Federal government has paramount responsibility to provide shelter and assistance to those family as the government is aiming to reconstruct the building.

“If we want [Somalia] to move forward we must rebuild government’s institutions so it can become functional again,” added Juha.

He urged the international community, Banadir regional administration and the public to support the government in its efforts to rebuild the institutions.

This is the first visit by sitting Interior Minister to the headquarters since the collapse of central government in 1991.

The hand-over ceremony comes following the endorsement of Federal Parliament to the new cabinet nominated by Prime Minister Hasan Ali Khayre in last week.

GAROWEONLINE