By: Yumoha Pasha
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The cabinet of President Silanyo has a new minister to deal with reconciliation.
Former militia commander turned politician Keyse Abdi Yusuf has been appointed Minister
President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo appointed a former Commander of an armed militant in Sool region as the Minister of State for National Reconciliation for Eastern regions.
The appointment was effected by the president H.E Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo in a decree released from the presidency mandating the new minister with the responsibility for negotiating peace with former rebels of the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn-Ain rebel group led by Hagaltosie.
Upon receipt of appointment information Hon Keyse Abdi Yusuf said that he was honoured and will pursue his onerous duties with diligence and to his level best owing to the paradoxes of the conflict in the eastern regions especially Sool.
While talk has been ripe of an imminent ministerial appointment was ripe the Hon Keyse one caught many by surprise as it has been anticipated that his former boss in SSC Commander Suleiman Isse Ahmed Hagaltosie will be the one to join the cabinet.
Mr. Hagaltosie who led the SSC armed opposition against the government signed a peace accord recently with president Silanyo.
On the other hand the appointment of Keyse as minister elicited mixed reactions in various areas of Sool region with Khatuumo militias engaging the army in running battles late at night on Saturday while elders in Taleeh Chased Khatuumo secessionist’s leader Ali Khalif Galayd out of town after accusing him of creating disharmony among Dulbahante clansmen.
Before his appointment Hon Keyse Abdi served of the SSCD political group that failed to pass muster thus disapproved as a viable local council contester by the political parties registration and verification committee-PPR&VC
