Cabinet meeting this week focusses on prolonged drought
By M.A. Egge
The President informed the Cabinet that he held a productive meeting the previous night with traditional leaders from Awdal Region.
He informed the 55th cabinet of ministers session that the discussions focused on enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation, and coordination between government institutions and traditional authorities to safeguard security in Awdal and Selel regions and prevent any actions that could undermine peace and social cohesion.
The President told the ministers that he would appoint a fully accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to represent the Republic of Somaliland in Israel; a move that he made a few hours afterwards hence named former Taiwan rep Amb. Mohamed Haji.
The 55th session of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Somaliland, chaired by the Head of State while flanked by his deputy the VP H.E. Mohamed Ali aw Abdi, was held over the week at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa.
The Cabinet deliberated on the following key issues:
- Drought Situation Across the Country
The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Sheikh Abdullahi-Baashe Dahir Jama, presented a comprehensive briefing on the severe drought affecting the country. He highlighted the widespread hardship faced by communities and livestock, particularly among pastoralists and vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
The Minister emphasized that responding to the crisis is both a religious and national duty, calling for a unified national relief effort to assist those affected.
- National Security Situation
The Minister of Interior and National Security Hon. Abdalle Mohamed Arab, informed the Cabinet that the overall security situation across all regions remains stable and that there were no imminent threats to national security.
- National Economic Situation
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Abdillahi Hassan Adan, along with ministry experts, briefed the Cabinet on economic developments.
He stated that during the past year, the Ministry strengthened its oversight and coordination of projects funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to ensure timely implementation, improved budget utilization, enhanced accountability, and transparency across implementing institutions.
Key factors contributing to this progress include:
Strong and strategic ministerial leadership.
High-level cooperation with the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
Targeted capacity-building for relevant Directors-General.
Regular quarterly performance monitoring and evaluation.
Strengthened coordination mechanisms.