By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, July 16 2026 – Somalia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday rejected the federal government’s decision to appoint an interim chairman, saying its leadership must be elected by the country’s business community.
In a written response addressed to the prime minister and the commerce minister, the chamber said the decision conflicted with the laws and regulations governing the institution and undermined its independence as a representative of the private sector.
The chamber said its chairman and governing committee should be selected through elections involving traders and regional chambers, rather than through direct government appointment.
It added that it would not recognise a chairman or administration that had not been chosen through an internal electoral process led by the business community.
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The chamber also warned that government interference in its leadership could affect its independence and its standing with international organisations.
The dispute followed a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, which approved the appointment of Yasin Mahmoud Ibar as interim chairman after dissolving the previous chamber committee.
The government said Ibar would have two years to prepare election procedures and oversee the formation of a new governing body.