Somalia: Somaliland leader makes second reshuffle in a month

HARGEISA, Somalia, March 15, 2015 (Garowe Online)-The President of Somaliland’s separatist administration Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo) has made the second reshuffle within a month, firing top officials in a presidential decree on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

President Siilaanyo replaced minister designates- Abdiasis Mohamed Samale, Education Minister and Abib Dirie Nur, Minister for Industries-who lodged their resignation letters with the presidency in less than a week after their nomination with Farah Elmi Gedole and Shoib Mohamed Musse respectively.

Central Bank Chief Abdi Dirir Abdi lost his post to Abdullahi Jama Ali while Mohamed Aw Dahir Ibrahim was assigned to Agriculture Ministry according to the presidential decree.

On February 28, Somaliland leader fired heavyweights in ruling Kulmiye party, moving others to new ministerial dockets.

Zamzam Abdi Adan, former Minister for Education became first female official to hold Finance Ministry. Nevertheless the nominations prompted premature resignations by two key officials.

Earlier last week, Somaliland Electoral Board extended parliamentary and presidential elections by nine months following intense consultations with the two opposition parties.

Parties vying in the highly anticipated general elections are expected to wrap up their campaigns with public appearances by year end.

President Siilaanyo who is seeking re-election appears to be facing formidable challenges from the opposition parties as analysts predict that Kulmiye ruling party may undergo runoff.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet. 

GAROWE ONLINE