MOGADISHU — The Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range for the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Hussein Mohamed, has presided over the formal transition ceremony from outgoing Director General Mohamed Saney Dalmar to incoming Director General Dr. Guled Abdijalil.
The minister expressed gratitude to Mohamed Saney Dalmar for his contributions and extended well wishes to Dr. Guled Abdijalil for his new role.
New Director General’s Background
Dr. Guled Abdijalil Ali was appointed as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in late March 2026. The changes, affecting several director generals of government ministries, were aimed at bolstering administrative efficiency and strengthening institutional performance across critical sectors.
The reshuffle saw Mohamed Saney Dalmar, the outgoing Director General of the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, appointed as the new Director General of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Dr. Guled Abdijalil Ali, previously serving in the livestock sector, was appointed as his replacement.
Minister’s International Engagement on Livestock Sector
Minister Hassan Hussein Mohamed has been actively engaged in advancing Somalia’s livestock sector on the international stage. In October 2024, he led a delegation to Muscat, Oman, where he met with Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, to discuss means of upgrading cooperation between the two countries in the field of livestock and meats. The meeting resulted in an agreement to establish a joint trade and investment forum in Oman.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the two nations in the field of livestock and related activities, pertaining to enhancing cooperation in importing and exporting livestock.
Livestock Sector Reform and Policy Development
The livestock sector remains the backbone of Somalia’s economy, contributing approximately 45 percent of GDP and 60 percent of foreign exchange earnings, while supporting an estimated 60 percent of the population.
In February 2026, Somalia launched a major reform drive to transform its feed and fodder sector, a move aimed at strengthening livestock productivity, improving food security, and unlocking export potential. The long-awaited policy reform was finalized in a three-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range in partnership with the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources.
Speaking at the workshop, outgoing Director General Mohamed Saney Dalmar emphasized the importance of the reform.
“Livestock remains the backbone of Somalia’s economy yet continues to be undermined by recurrent droughts, conflict and weak feed systems. Somalia must move from fragmented, emergency-driven interventions to a coordinated national framework that treats feed and fodder as a strategic economic sector,” Dalmar stated.
Regional Livestock Challenges in Somaliland
The challenges facing Somalia’s livestock sector are also reflected in the northern regions. In July 2025, the Minister of Livestock and Rural Development of Somaliland, Dr. Omar Shucayb Mohamed, delivered a comprehensive briefing to the Council of Ministers in Hargeisa, outlining the severe impact of ongoing drought conditions on the region’s livestock sector.
The session, chaired by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, focused on both immediate challenges and long-term strategies for rural economic recovery. Dr. Shucayb reported widespread water scarcity and pasture degradation, leading to declining animal health and rising mortality rates in drought-hit areas. The minister underscored the urgent need for targeted interventions, including emergency fodder supplies, veterinary services, and enhanced water access for nomadic communities.
He also updated the Cabinet on Somaliland’s ongoing efforts to facilitate livestock exports to the Sultanate of Oman, noting that strengthening trade ties with Oman represents a vital economic lifeline and a key element of the government’s rural development strategy.
Commitment to Pastoralist Communities
Minister Hassan Hussein has also held discussions with international partners on climate adaptation strategies. In February 2025, he met with Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, to discuss the critical role of livestock in Somalia’s economy, the development of policies for forestry and rangelands, and strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
The minister reaffirmed the Somali government’s commitment to advancing the livelihoods of pastoralist communities and revitalizing degraded rangelands through reforestation and sustainable land management initiatives.
The transition ceremony at the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range marks a continuation of the government’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity within one of Somalia’s most vital economic sectors.
