Cabinet Names Yasin Mahmoud Ibar Interim Chamber Of Commerce Chairman

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s cabinet has appointed Yasin Mahmoud Ibar as interim chairman of the Somali Chamber of Commerce, tasking him with overseeing reforms and organising elections for a new leadership, while approving a series of legislative proposals and international cooperation agreements.

The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, dissolved the chamber’s previous governing committee and said the interim chairman would prepare the framework for elections to establish a new board within the next two years.

The move comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen private sector institutions and improve the business environment amid ongoing economic reforms aimed at increasing domestic revenue, attracting investment and supporting private sector-led growth.

During the meeting, ministers also reviewed security updates presented by the Ministry of Internal Security, including ongoing operations aimed at improving stability, as well as a report from the Office of the Auditor General covering public financial audits for 2024 and 2025.

The cabinet approved several measures, including draft legislation to establish a National Revenue Authority, a step that forms part of broader fiscal reforms supported by international financial institutions to strengthen tax administration and improve public revenue collection.

Ministers also endorsed emergency government communication procedures for responding to terrorist incidents, reflecting continued efforts to improve coordination during security crises as Somali forces maintain operations against the al Shabaab militant group.

In foreign affairs, the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on political consultations with Croatia, an agreement between Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an environmental cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, and Somalia’s accession to the charter establishing the African Mineral Strategy Group and the Critical Minerals Development Partnership.

The agreements come as Somalia expands its diplomatic engagement following its accession to the East African Community in 2024 and pursues new partnerships in trade, climate, governance and natural resource development.

The cabinet also promoted Shaafi Nur Alas Farah to the rank of ambassador and appointed Abdifitah Mohamed Ibrahim as ambassador.

The decisions were taken as the federal government continues implementing institutional and economic reforms while seeking to strengthen public administration and deepen international cooperation, even as Somalia faces persistent security challenges and political debates over governance and constitutional reforms.