Dhusamareb, Somalia – The President of Somalia’s newly established Northeastern State, Abdikadir Firdhiye, has announced his first cabinet, marking a significant step in the region’s political formation. The 21-member cabinet, which includes one woman, reflects Firdhiye’s push to consolidate his administration and lay the foundation for governance in the young state.
The announcement, made on Wednesday in Dhusamareb, comes just weeks after the formal declaration of the Northeastern State, a move that has drawn both optimism and scrutiny from political observers across Somalia. Firdhiye’s cabinet is composed of ministers representing a mix of political, regional, and clan backgrounds — an attempt, aides say, to balance inclusivity with competence as the state begins to chart its own course within Somalia’s federal system.
In his statement, President Firdhiye described the team as “a cabinet of service, reform, and responsibility,” pledging to focus on stability, security, and development.
“We are at the dawn of a new chapter. Our people have waited for leadership that listens, that acts, and that builds with them. This cabinet is the beginning of that promise,” the Northeastern President stated.
While the full list of ministers has not yet been publicly detailed, sources close to the presidency say the new cabinet includes portfolios for security, finance, reconciliation, environment, and social services. The inclusion of a single woman, appointed to the Ministry of Social Affairs, has sparked conversations about gender representation in the emerging administration — a familiar challenge across Somalia’s regional governments.
The formation of Firdhiye’s cabinet marks an important milestone for the Northeastern State’s political legitimacy as it seeks recognition and collaboration from the Federal Government of Somalia and neighboring regional states. It also signals the start of what is expected to be a complex process of institution building, resource allocation, and local reconciliation in a region long affected by administrative disputes and clan divisions.
For now, the new ministers face the immediate task of establishing functioning offices, coordinating with federal institutions, and demonstrating tangible progress on the ground.
As President Firdhiye’s cabinet begins its work, the eyes of both the Somali public and the international community are on the Northeastern State — watching to see whether its formation will strengthen Somalia’s fragile federal framework or further complicate the country’s intricate political landscape.