According to sources, the President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi has completed a major reshuffle of his government. Sources add the changes will be announced after the ongoing contest for the Speaker of the Parliament between Kulmiye and Opposition parties is settled.
Although President Bihi has made changes to his government several times, some of his cabinet members and other presidential appointees are holdovers from the previous government of President Ahmed Mohamoud Silanyo.
Many positions remain unfilled whose incumbents resigned to run for Parliament or local council seats this includes the Foreign Affairs portfolio which has been vacant since early March when Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Yasin Hagi Mohamoud Hiir (Faratoon) resigned. He has since won a seat in the upcoming Parliament where he is seeking the Speakership position.
Sources state that President Bihi has been successful in keeping government changes under wraps may take a cue from the recent voter sentiment where opposition parties have outperformed the ruling party of Kulmiye and swept in Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Moge and the new member of Parliament Mr. Barkhad Batun and may seek out similarly influential politicians.
Members of President Bihi’s cabinet who spoke on background confirmed the expected reshuffle. The Office of the President has denied that any government reshuffle is forthcoming and dismissed the reshuffle as mere rumors.