On 14 December 2024, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) appointed his council of ministers to form the new government. According to Article 90 of the Somaliland Constitution, the president holds the authority to appoint and remove members of the Council of Ministers. Once appointed, the president submits the list of members to the House of Representatives, who can either approve or reject them through voting.
Article 94(3) of the Somaliland Constitution specifies that appointed ministers or deputy ministers must assume office within 30 days of their confirmation by the House of Representatives. This confirmation process is overseen by the Chairman of the Supreme Court in the presence of the president. If the president is unavailable due to being abroad or ill, the vice president assumes this responsibility.
On 2 January 2025, the House of Representatives informed all appointed ministers to meet with business subcommittees of the house to evaluate their qualifications and verify their eligibility for their respective positions.
Between January 3rd and January 5th, each cabinet member met with the subcommittees. During the vetting process. After evaluating the appointed ministers and discussing their proposed action plans, the subcommittees submitted its findings to the House of Representatives.
On 6 January, the House of Representatives summoned 19 ministers to present themselves for a vote of approval. The secretary read each minister’s resume and their professional experience before the assembly, allowing each minister to address the representatives and outline their proposed action plans.
After the presentations, the chairman of the House of Representatives led the voting session, during which representatives voted on each minister individually. A total of 66 representatives were in attendance, with most ministers receiving votes from 65 members. Ultimately, the House of Representatives approved all ministers of the cabinet.
On 7 January, the House called the remaining 29 ministers, vice ministers and ministers of state for approval. The secretary once again read the CVs and experience of each minister to the assembly. Each minister addressed the representatives, outlining their priority areas and strategies and priorities for enhancing and their ministerial portfolio.
Following these speeches, the chairman led another voting session. With 65 representatives present, the members voted to approve the ministers, most of whom received 64 votes. Consequently, the House of Representatives approved all the remaining ministers.
With the approval of the House of Representatives, the cabinet appointed by the president officially commenced their duties, thereby completing the formation of the new government cabinet.
