MOGADISHU (SONNA) — The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia held its weekly meeting on Thursday, presided over by Prime Minister H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre. The session focused on critical national issues, including internal security, the escalating drought crisis, and a comprehensive review of the nation’s aviation safety standards.
During the proceedings, the Cabinet heard a report from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation regarding the operational status of domestic carriers. The Ministry confirmed that it has suspended the operations of several airlines that failed to meet essential safety requirements. To ensure long-term compliance and passenger safety, the Council appointed a specialized committee to conduct a rigorous audit of airline quality and service delivery. This committee is tasked with presenting a formal report on the state of the country’s aviation sector to the Cabinet.
The Council also took decisive steps to bolster the nation’s humanitarian infrastructure. Upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Mr. Liban Abdi Igal as the Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRI). This appointment comes as the government prioritizes the coordination of relief efforts to address the severe drought and the environmental challenges posed by sand dune encroachment, which was highlighted in a report by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
In a move to integrate Somalia into the global maritime legal framework, the Council ratified three major international treaties: the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (1992), the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (1990), and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972). Additionally, the Cabinet approved the National Policy on International Cooperation, a strategic framework designed to guide the nation’s diplomatic engagements and development partnerships.
