Somali President Fires Petroleum Minister in Major Inner Circle Shake-Up

In a statement following his dismissal, Abdirizak acknowledged his longstanding relationship with the president but pointed to disagreements over resolving grievances within Hirshabelle as the immediate cause of his removal. “While my bond with the president has been strong, our differences over the approach to addressing the concerns of the Hiiraan region have led to my dismissal,” he said.

Political insiders, however, believe the decision is part of a broader effort by the president to consolidate control and implement a more streamlined and cohesive team. Critics warn that removing experienced allies could destabilize the administration during a critical period of governance and security challenges.

The string of dismissals has sparked speculation about who might be next in line for replacement, as whispers of a complete overhaul of the president’s cabinet and advisors continue to gain traction.

For now, Dahir Shire Mohamed has been appointed as the new Petroleum Minister, but the political ripple effects of this unexpected move are likely to reverberate across Somalia’s already volatile political scene.