South West State Leader Swears in New Cabinet Following Parliamentary Approval

BAIDOA – The leader of the South West State of Somalia, Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), has officially sworn in the newly appointed members of the state’s Council of Ministers following their approval by the regional parliament.

The swearing-in ceremony took place during the 1st session of the 5th meeting of the South West State Parliament in Baidoa. President Madoobe had requested the parliament to approve and swear in the new cabinet members he had recently appointed. The House of Representatives approved the new ministers with an overwhelming majority vote. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice of the South West State Supreme Court, Dr. Ahmed Ali Muse. The new cabinet members formally took their oaths and pledged to serve the public and advance the development of the South West State with integrity, transparency, and dedication.

President Madoobe congratulated the new cabinet members on their appointment and urged them to prioritise the acceleration of public services, the strengthening of security, economic development, good governance, and the implementation of the government’s development plans. He also emphasised the importance of unity, accountability, and transparency among the new ministers to ensure the achievement of the South West State’s goals and the delivery of efficient services to the public.

The leader expressed his gratitude to the parliamentary leadership and the representatives for approving the cabinet members, which will enable the government to accelerate its work programmes.

The formation of the new cabinet follows President Madoobe’s inauguration on 6 July 2026, which was attended by senior federal and regional officials. The new cabinet comprises 26 ministers, three state ministers, and 22 deputy ministers.

Strengthening Governance and Service Delivery

The swearing-in of the new cabinet marks a significant step in establishing the new administration and is expected to accelerate the implementation of the government’s priorities, including governance, security, service delivery, and development across the South West State. The formation of the cabinet comes at a critical time as the region seeks to consolidate stability and address the needs of its population.

A New Chapter for South West State

President Madoobe, who secured an overwhelming 88 votes out of 90 in the regional leadership election, has been working to build a new administration. The swearing-in ceremony follows a series of high-level engagements, including the attendance of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Madoobe’s inauguration in Baidoa. The event brought together senior federal and regional officials, underscoring broad support for the new South West State administration. President Mohamud declared at the inauguration that Somalia has moved beyond the era of personality-driven politics and is transitioning toward a formal party-based system with direct elections.

The new cabinet is expected to focus on addressing the region’s pressing challenges, including security, economic development, and the delivery of essential services. The administration has also been engaging with international partners to strengthen development cooperation, including recent talks with China’s ambassador to Somalia aimed at enhancing economic collaboration.

Way Forward

The swearing-in of the new Council of Ministers represents a crucial milestone in the consolidation of the South West State administration. As the new cabinet begins its work, the focus will be on translating the government’s priorities into tangible results for the people of the region. The success of the administration will depend on the ability of its members to work together effectively, maintain accountability, and deliver on the promises made to the public.