Somalia’s Information, Culture and Tourism Minister, Dahir Mohamud Gelle, resigned on Wednesday over differences with the federal government under the leadership of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo.
Harun Maruf, a journalist with the Voice of America, VOA Somali Service, said Gelle confirmed his resignation to the VOA in an exclusive interview, reported Africa News.
Gelle was appointed as the Information Minister by Prime Minister Ali Hassan Khaire 11 months ago. As per reports, the minister took the decision after failing to contribute his political views to the Government policy towards the foreign affairs and Somalia’s Federal states. He decided to resign amid an escalating political spat between him and country’s Prime Minister Khaire.
The resigned minister has been replaced by with Mohamed Abdi Hayir Maareeye, the Minister of Commerce, who held the post in the previous government. Maareeye is replaced by Abdullahi Ali Hassan as Minister of Commerce.
The Ministry of Information informs the public about government policy plans and implementation and supports improvements to knowledge and education of the public.
Notably, Gelle is the 5th high profile minister who has resigned since the time the current government took office in early 2017.
