By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 17 September 2026 Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has ordered federal ministries and agencies to fill department director positions through open competition based on competence and merit.
Barre said in an address on Thursday that the first phase of the recruitment reform would begin on Sept. 20 and focus on department directors across federal institutions.
He instructed the National Civil Service Commission to implement the process in coordination with the Prime Minister's Office and ensure that all qualified civil servants are given an equal opportunity to compete.
Any vacant civil service position should also be filled through an open and competitive process in line with the country's laws and regulations, Barre said.
The prime minister directed ministers, agency heads and other officials to cooperate with the commission and avoid any action that could undermine the independence, transparency or fairness of the selection process.
Department directors play a central role in managing government institutions, supervising employees and implementing policies and programmes, Barre said.
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A second phase of the reforms will focus on directors-general at federal ministries and agencies, though the prime minister did not specify when that stage would begin.
Appointments to those senior administrative positions would be based on qualifications, competence, leadership, performance and merit, in accordance with the constitution and national laws, Barre said.
The prime minister said his government had approved a series of laws and policies over the past four years aimed at reforming the civil service, including frameworks covering performance management, job grades and salaries, pensions and civil service administration.