Dhusamareb(The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has appointed Mr. Abdihakim Mohamed Yusuf as the new Chief of Staff of the Villa Somalia on Friday, following the resignation of Hussein Sheikh Mohamud two weeks ago.

The President highlighted the vital role that Abdihakim will play within the government, through his previous experience. He urged him to serve the nation with efficiency and dedication.

Mr. Abdihakim served as the political advisor to the president, bringing over 20 years of expertise in the development of government institutions, promoting good governance, enhancing the resilience of conflict-affected states and communities, and advocating for human rights.

Hussein Sheikh Mohamud resigned from his position as the Chief of Staff of the Villa Somalia, a role he held since May 23rd, 2022.

He officially submitted his resignation letter to the President of the Federal Government on 5th August 2023.

Mr. Hussein stated that he stepped down due to advice and demands from the people and the politicians of Southwest State.

This is linked to his political aspirations for the presidency of the Southwest State in the upcoming elections, although the timing of the elections remains unknown.

“First and foremost, I would like to inform the Somali people that I have resigned from the post as the Chief of Staff of Villa Somalia which I was serving since 23 May 2022,” Mr. Hussein Sheikh announced his resignation.

“My resignation is driven by an evolving earnestness of the situation in the Southwest State of Somalia and following the advice of the public and politicians from the state, acknowledge that it’s substantial to put extra time into working on the interest of Southwest State and its people in which I suppose requires an attentive leadership with the expertise, trust, and knowledge, and guide the Southwest to become Somalia’s leading state in terms of prosperity and development,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment to work with the president in his state-building efforts, especially on how the people of Southwest will obtain a leadership change through a democratic process.