The Acting Somali Minister of Petroleum and Minerals Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed has become embroiled in a major scandal after appointing his daughter to the ministry. Earlier this month, he appointed Sumaya Abdirashid Mohamed as head of communications and media at the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, and then ordered all communications within the ministry.
Last month, Somali Petroleum Commission Chairman Ibrahim Ali Hussein established international contacts with companies and organizations involved in oil issues and contracts for the sale of exploration packages. The move prompted the minister to appoint a head of communications and media to make his daughter aware of the situation.
Somali Times has learned that Federal Government officials have ordered the minister to resign and he is facing a major scandal. The country does not have a prime minister for more than 40 days and this has made it easier for some ministers to make illegal appointments.