Somali Politicians Repeated Cabinet Ousters Raise Concern

By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter

Somalia, 21 December 2025 Elmi Mohamed Nur has once again stepped down from a ministerial post after handing over office today to the newly appointed Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, Ayub Ismail Yusuf.

The ceremony was presided over by the Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Jibriil Abdirashid Haji Abdi.

Elmi remains one of the most affected by the frequent reshuffles in the current administration, serving multiple ministerial positions for shorter periods compared to other members of the cabinet.

Elmi, a Member of Parliament in the House of the People, was first appointed to a ministerial position on 9 August 2022, when he was assigned the Ministry of Finance, taking over from Abdirahman Duale Bayle. At the time, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described Elmi as a technocrat knowledgeable in financial affairs and urged him to serve with professionalism and dedication.

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On 12 July 2023, Elmi vacated office after being removed from the powerful ministry, handing over the portfolio to Bihi Iman Egeh, who continues to hold the position.

On 27 October 2024, Prime Minister Barre reappointed Elmi as Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, replacing Abdisalan Abdi Ali Dhaay, who currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs. At the time, Barre emphasized that the Ministry of Public Works is among the country’s most critical institutions hence the reason for appointing Elmi, who he described as a dedicated servant of the country.

However, come 21 December, Elmi once again relinquished the post, after serving nearly one year and three months at the Ministry of Public Works. His departure has reinforced perceptions among the public that he is one of the most unlucky individuals under the current administration.

To date, the Federal Government of Somalia has not issued an official explanation for Elmi’s frequent removal or transfers from cabinet positions. Nevertheless, these successive changes have once again fueled speculation that the reshuffles may extend to other members of the cabinet.

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