The new Cabinet formed last Monday by Somalia’s Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, has been approved by the Lower House of the country’s Federal Parliament.
A list of 71 ministers, State ministers and deputy ministers was presented by the Premier to the legislators, stating that their selection was based on their integrity and capacities.
“I have selected the ministers upon closely examining their abilities to deliver services to the people,” he said in a brief speech.
All MPs present, 188 in number, voted in favour of the new Cabinet by show of hands.
The new Cabinet formed includes eight women – four ministers, a State minister and three deputy ministers.
While delivering a speech to seek parliamentary approval of his portfolio holders and political programme, PM Roble emphasized the zeal of his government to tackle the country’s most pressing issues, particularly insecurity as well as the smooth running of the anticipated general election in 2020 and 2021.
The return of most of the deposed PM’s Cabinet members had been anticipated by many analysts.
However, in the new Cabinet formed, a number senior ministers lost positions. Among them were the holders of the Defense, Internal Security, Interior, Information and Education dockets.
The ministers of Commerce and Industry as well as Public Works did not appear in the new list.
Those who retained their positions in the cabinet include Deputy PM Mahdi Mohamed Guled alias Khadar, Foreign minister Ambassador Ahmed Issa Awad and Finance minister Dr Abdirahman Dualeh Beile.
Others are Health minister Dr Fawzia Abikar Nur and Planning minister Jamal Mohamed Hussein.
The new Cabinet comprises of 27 ministers, 27 deputy ministers and 17 state ministers.