Mustafa Omar’s swearing-in for another term as the Somali region President , followed immediately by the formation and swearing-in of his cabinet, marks a fresh chapter for the Somali Region. I warmly congratulate the President and every member of his cabinet on their appointments. This is a moment to look ahead with optimism, recognising both the opportunities before the new administration and the responsibility of serving a population with considerable hopes for its future.
The swift completion of the cabinet is an encouraging start. With the team now in place, attention can turn to the work of government: strengthening institutions, improving services and responding to the concerns of communities across the region. That early momentum offers a useful foundation for the term ahead.
This occasion also takes me back to the open letter on Hiiraan Online I wrote to Mustafe Omar when he was first nominated to lead the region. Recalling that letter today brings back the significance of that moment and the expectations that accompanied it. Leadership transitions invite people to think about what is possible for their homeland, and a renewed term offers another opportunity to reflect on those aspirations. My interest remains rooted in a desire to see the Somali Region prosper, its institutions grow stronger and its people enjoy greater opportunities and dignity.
The cabinet includes a few new faces alongside many returning members of the previous administration. There is reason to be hopeful about this combination. Those returning bring familiarity with their institutions, knowledge of ongoing initiatives and experience in navigating the demands of public office. The new members bring perspectives and professional experiences that can enrich the work of the administration. Together, they have an opportunity to build a team that draws confidently on experience while remaining open to new ideas.
Much will depend on how that potential is put to work.
For returning cabinet members, renewed responsibility offers space to consolidate useful work, reflect on lessons learned and address areas that need more attention. Experience becomes especially valuable when it encourages better judgment, closer engagement with communities and a willingness to improve established practices. For those entering the cabinet, this is an opportunity to contribute their abilities, learn from colleagues and help institutions respond to changing needs. Every appointment carries the same central obligation: to serve the public with commitment, fairness and care.
Citizens will encounter the work of this administration through everyday experiences. A family seeking treatment at a health facility, a student hoping for a better education, a young person searching for employment or a pastoral household concerned about water and livestock all have a direct stake in how government performs. Their needs give practical meaning to the responsibilities accepted during the swearing-in ceremony. Progress becomes real when services are more dependable, institutions more responsive and opportunities more accessible.
The region’s priorities also require close cooperation across the cabinet. Water access, livelihoods, education, healthcare, infrastructure and disaster preparedness are connected in people’s lives. Addressing them effectively calls for shared planning and a clear understanding of how the work of one institution supports another. A cabinet that works collectively can help turn individual efforts into broader improvements that reach both growing towns and rural communities.
There is considerable value, too, in maintaining an open relationship with the public. Listening to communities, drawing on professional expertise and engaging respectfully with constructive criticism can strengthen decisions and public confidence. People who offer suggestions, identify gaps or ask difficult questions often do so because they care about the region’s future. Their participation can help government understand concerns that may otherwise receive too little attention.
A renewed mandate provides room to deepen that engagement. It offers the leadership an opportunity to communicate priorities clearly, recognise challenges honestly and demonstrate progress through results people can see.
My optimism for this term is therefore tied to the possibilities before the President and his cabinet. The team has experience to draw upon, new perspectives to welcome and an opportunity to give renewed purpose to its work. With clear priorities and consistent follow-through, this combination can support stronger institutions and meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
I extend my sincere congratulations to President Mustafe Omar and the entire cabinet, both returning and newly appointed members. May this term bring wise decisions, productive cooperation and sustained attention to the needs of the people. For those of us who care deeply about the Somali Region, this is a moment to express goodwill and hope and to contribute constructively, wherever we can, to its peace, development and shared prosperity.
Hussien Mohamed Yusuf
Hussien is a Climate change adaptation and environmental Sustainability Practitioner based in Nairobi, Kenya
