Somali Regional State President Mustafe Mohamud Omar Cagjar has appointed a new 27-member Executive Council, hours after regional lawmakers reelected him for another five-year term. The new council functions as the regional cabinet and includes officials responsible for various government sectors. The appointments mark the first major administrative step of Mustafe's 2026-2031 term. The Executive Council will oversee major areas of regional administration, including security, finance, social services, infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development.
The new council includes Dr. Hussein Abdullahi Qasim, who was appointed to the Office of the President, while Abdiqadir Rashid Duale was named head of the Security Office. Mohamed Muse Guure will lead the Finance Office, and Khadir Abdirahman Ahmed was appointed to the Justice Office. Guled Ahmed Ali was appointed to the office of Agriculture, and Mohamed Sheikh Adan Ismail was named to the Education Office. Other appointments include Faysal Rashid Omar to Skills and Job Creation and Muse Ahmed Ibrahim to the Health Office.
The appointments also include Siyad Nur Abdi to the Water Office, Ibrahim Hassan Ali to the Livestock Office, and Hussein Gaydh Ahmed to the Revenue Office. Omer-Farouk Haji Warfaa was appointed to Planning, and Hibo Ahmed Omar was named to Trade. Halimo Hassan Mohamud will lead the Women’s Affairs Office, while Ayan Abdi Mohamed was appointed to the Civil Service Office. The new council members have been tasked with overseeing the development of the region.
Mustafe Cagjar has led the Somali Regional State since August 2018, when he took office following the removal of former regional President Abdi Mohamoud Omar, commonly known as Abdi Iley. He was returned to office after the 2021 regional election, when the Somali branch of Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party won control of the regional council. His latest reelection gives him another five-year term and extends his leadership of the region into a third political phase since 2018.
The Somali Regional State is one of Ethiopia’s federal regions and borders Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti. The region has a diverse population and a strategic location, making it an important area for trade and economic development. The formation of the new council marks a significant step in the region's development, as it will oversee the implementation of various projects and programs.
In addition to Mustafe Cagjar's reelection, Ibrahim Osman Farah was reelected as vice president, and Mubashir Dubad Rage was chosen as speaker of the regional parliament. The new leadership will work together to address the region's challenges and promote development. The appointments reflect the region's commitment to good governance and representation.
The new Executive Council will face various challenges, including security concerns, economic development, and social services. The council will need to work together to address these challenges and promote the region's development. The appointments mark a new chapter in the region's history, and the council's success will be crucial to the region's future.
Key points
- The new Executive Council includes 27 members who will oversee various government sectors.
- Mustafe Cagjar has been reelected for another five-year term as President of the Somali Regional State.
- The appointments mark the first major administrative step of Mustafe's 2026-2031 term.
