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Defence, foreign ministers changed in Somali reshuffle

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Somalia's Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke at the end of a meeting of the 15th International Group on Somalia in Rome, June 2009. Sharmarke has reshuffled his transitional federal government, including changes in the defence and foreign ministry portfolios. Photo:Tiziana Fabi/AFP
AFP Photo: Somalia's Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke
MOGADISHU (AFP) - Somalia's Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke reshuffled his transitional federal government Tuesday, including changes in the defence and foreign ministry portfolios.

The move was seen as an attempt to strengthen an embattled administration, which has been under pressure from a coalition of insurgent groups that launched a major offensive on Mogadishu more than three months ago.

According to Somali government officials, Sharmarke appointed Ali Jama Ahmed Jengeli as foreign minister, in replacement of Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, who was given the water and mining portfolio.

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Among other changes, Abdallah Boss Ahmed was appointed as defence minister, replacing Mohamed Abdi Gandi, who went to the transport ministry.

Dahir Mohamud Gele was named the new minister of information, replacing Ali Mohamed, who will now be in charge of militia rehabilitation.

Source: AFP, August 18, 2009

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