Somali PM unveils new cabinet lineup

MOGADISHU (AA) – Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke on Thursday unveiled a 40-strong cabinet lineup.

In a press conference in Mogadishu, Sharmarke said the new cabinet would include 26 ministers and deputy ministers as well as 14 state ministers.

The new government, which featured many new faces, also included a new ministry for women.

The new government is expected to be presented to parliament within the next few days for approval.

Analysts believe that the new cabinet will get the confidence of the parliament, given that it includes some parliament members.

Sharmarke was sworn in as Somalia’s new prime minister on Dec. 24 of 2014.

Born in Somalia in 1969, Sharmarke is the son of former Somali President Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke.

The younger Sharmarke graduated from Somali National University in 1984. In 2000, he received a Master’s Degree in economics and political science from Canada’s Carlton University.

He currently carries dual Somali-Canadian citizenship.

In 2008, Sharmarke was appointed Somali ambassador to the U.S. He could not, however, carry out his diplomatic responsibilities because Washington did not recognize Somalia’s transitional government at the time.

He was appointed prime minister in 2009, but had to submit his resignation one year later due to differences with then-President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

The same year, Sharmarke was appointed Somali ambassador to the U.S. – for the second time – after which he was welcomed by Washington, which had by that time recognized the national government.

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