Guelleh Overhauls Government in Major Cabinet Reshuffle

Djibouti, May 17, 2026 - President Ismail Omar Guelleh carried out a significant cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, introducing new ministers, reallocating key portfolios, and dismissing several senior officials in one of the most extensive government reorganizations in recent years.

The changes include the departure of several high-profile figures, notably the Minister of Health Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh, the Minister of Youth and Culture Hibo Moumin Assoweh, and the Minister of Trade and Tourism Mohamed Warsama Dirieh. They have been replaced respectively by Mouna Osman Aden, Fardoussa Moussa Egueh, and Orbis Helaf Orbis, with the latter two joining the government for the first time.

Further exits include Minister Delegate for Decentralization Kassim Haroun and Secretary of State for Sports Hassan Mohamed Kamil. Their positions are now held by Omar Houssein Omar and Fatouma Ali Abdallah.

The reshuffle also triggered a broader reallocation of ministerial responsibilities. Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa moves from the Environment portfolio to head the Ministry of Communication, responsible for Posts and Telecommunications, replacing Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon. Bahdon, in turn, takes over the expanded Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources, while Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh assumes leadership of the Environment Ministry.

At the Interior Ministry, Omar Abdi Said replaces Said Nouh Hassan, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Equipment.

In the energy sector, Djama Mohamed Hassan joins the cabinet as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, replacing Yonis Ali Guedi, who is moved to the Ministry of Labor, responsible for Formalization and Social Protection.

The government also welcomes Hana Farah Assoweh as Minister of Women and Family Affairs, succeeding Mouna Osman Aden, who has been appointed Minister of Health.

Meanwhile, Safia Mohamed Ali Guadileh becomes Minister Delegate for Digital Economy and Innovation, replacing Mariam Hamadou Ali. The latter is reassigned to the Ministry of Investment and Private Sector Development, previously held by Guadileh.