MOGADISHU, Nov 4 – Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Said on Sunday announced the members of his new government, noting that a woman has been named as foreign minister for the first time in the country’s history.

“After long discussions and consultations, I have named my cabinet which consists of only ten members. Among them is a female foreign affairs minister for the first time in Somali history,” the prime minister said.

The new foreign minister, Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, hails from the self-declared independent state of Somaliland and lived for a long time in Britain.

“My nomination as the foreign minister is historic for the Somali country and particularly for the women of Somalia, it turns a new page for the political situation of our country and will lead to success and prosperity,” she said.

Somalia has been in political chaos and deprived of a central government since the fall of President Siad Barre in 1991.

The new administration brings eight years of transitional rule by the corruption riddled and Western-backed government to an end.

Said himself was appointed in October.

His new cabinet will now have to be approved by the Somali parliament.

Source: AFP

Comments

comments