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Somalia President urges government to end favouritism, prioritize merit during the closing presentation of the annual ministerial accountability review in Mogadishu. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed cabinet members and senior state officials by stressing that public office appointments must depend strictly on demonstrated professional capability and technical skills rather than personal or political connections. The head of state emphasized that building robust national institutions requires dismantling ingrained practices where job placement relies heavily on informal lobbying through influential lawmakers, ministers, or clan networks.
The presidential directive followed a comprehensive evaluation of government ministries measuring performance progress and target completion rates set for the fiscal year. While acknowledging tangible improvements across multiple departments compared to previous years, President Mohamud insisted that institutional advancement must be matched by rigorous employee evaluation mechanisms. Under the proposed framework, capable public servants should be formally recognized and rewarded, whereas individuals failing to meet required performance standards will face administrative review. Officials noted that under the current administration led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the focus remains firmly on fostering a results-oriented public service culture.
During the performance rankings presented at the review session, the Ministry of Finance secured the top position, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, and other key national portfolios. Leaders underscored that these top-performing agencies demonstrate how structured accountability and skilled management can drive meaningful progress in governance. However, the administration cautioned that sustaining this momentum requires continuous oversight to ensure that recruitment processes remain insulated from nepotism and political patronage.
Civil service reformers and governance analysts have long argued that transitioning away from patronage-based appointments is essential for strengthening public trust and institutional efficiency. By insisting that administrative roles be filled by qualified professionals, the federal government aims to enhance service delivery across vital public sectors. As ministries begin implementing the updated accountability metrics, the administration faces the critical task of enforcing these merit-based standards consistently across all levels of the national civil service.