The incumbent Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi alias Irro yesterday chaired the 15th Cabinet Ministers meeting which was held at the presidential palace.
The minister of interior, Abdalle Mohamed Arab alias Sandhere briefed the cabinet.
He told that the country is enjoying security and stability, except minor incidents that take place in the country including traffic accidents.
He said that the nation must remain vigilant when it comes to the negative impact that the insecurity in Red Sea could have major implications to Somaliland where there is rivalry among the major powers concerning the trade route although it seems that lasting resolution will be reached.
State minister for finance, Ismail Mawlid Abdilahi, also shared with the cabinet ministers the expedition of broad base tax regarding the inland revenues. He said that the ministry will be using advanced new technologies. He also stated that the ministry of finance is closely keeping an eye on enforcing Goods Service Tax (GST). He said that the focus will be firms that provide electricity and telecommunications. He informed the cabinet ministers that the finance ministry will expedite when it comes to collecting revenues.
The minister of health, Dr. Hussein Bashir Hersi, briefed the cabinet ministers on the health situation in Somaliland. He told that he held high level meetings with UK department for int’l development flanked by officials of the UK mission office in Somaliland. The delegation and the ministry of health discussed the implementation of projects funded by the UK particularly the one dubbed “Better Lives” project where the UK supports the funds earmarked for 40 health centers across Somaliland. The two sides also discussed the impact of climate change pertaining to Somaliland health community.
Deputy minister of livestock, planning minister, water affairs minister, and deputy rehabilitation and humanitarian affairs minister all spoke about the drought, water scarcity and lack of pasture.
They urged the government to provide assistance and humanitarian relief to drought affected communities across Somaliland. They said that the situation is worsening day after day. The minister told the cabinet that the Eastern regions of the country are the most affected areas when it comes to the drought. They also shared with the ministers the technical steps to be taken urgently so as to response to the dire situation. The Ministers said that they sent urgent pleas to the int’l agencies including the United Nations and donor countries. There is urgent need to offer assistance to drought affected communities and to coordinate the urgent response.
The minister of parliamentary relations and constitutional affairs, Mr. Ahmed Aw-Dahir Haji Hassan, also briefed the cabinet ministers with a report on a survey that the ministry conducted on the constitution of Somaliland particularly the statement which is dubbed ” a law is defining”. He told the cabinet ministers that it is a must to review the country’s constitution so as to address the problems within the laws and to make amendments.
The state minister for education, Mohamed Yusuf Ibrahim Faa’ul shared the cabinet with the project of the evaluation of the reading and writing skills designed for intermediate students. He told the curriculum has been reviewed and upgraded. The minister further said that the ministry of education is committed to improve the quality, encourage and enhance the skills in reading and writing and developing children intellect across schools in Somaliland. The minister revealed that the project to upgrade the quality of reading and writing skills is part of the promises made by the current leadership headed by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro and it is one of the pledges that the administration dubbed Togetherness and Action” made a top priority.
The Minister of justice, Yonis Ahmed Yonis also briefed cabinet ministers ways to develop the political and civil rights of Somaliland citizens. He called on to review and make amendments to the rules and laws of the country. He urged to establish independent justice system in the country.
The following points were suggested:-
- To improve ways to have access to fair justice for all
- Upgrade the quality of civil rights education
- To establish close cooperation with the civilians
- The suggestion that the justice minister made is aimed to create inclusiveness, accountability and to fully respect the political and civil rights of all Somaliland citizens.
The minister of Aviation and Airport Development, Mr. Fuad Ahmed Nuh, who is among the committee tasked to prepare the first 100 days of accomplishments of the current leadership headed by incumbent Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro. The minister displayed the textbook where the accomplishments of the first 100 days of the current government is written. The accomplishments are in line with the political program of the current ruling Wadani party which includes the five promises that the incumbent president made during the last campaign of the presidential polls in 2024.
- Defense and safeguarding the nation.
- Good-Governance and the review of the justice system
- Economic development
- development of social affairs
- foreign affairs relations and int’l cooperation
The minister gave full explanation to the cabinet members on the way to display the first 100 days accomplishment to the public.
Finally, the Head of State shared with cabinet ministers on the pacification efforts and the nationalization of clan militia forces to be absorbed into the national armed forces which is underway in the country.
The President lauded the efforts undertaken by the Vice President and the accompanied ministers to nationalize the armed clan militias.
Irro briefed the cabinet that biometric registration of country’s armed forces smoothly underway in the country.
