Somali prime minister names moderate Islamists to the Cabinet

Published November 17, 2014

HARGEISA, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's prime minister has named members of a powerful moderate Islamic militia to the Cabinet, more than three months after the government signed a power-sharing deal with them.

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke appointed late Saturday members of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama to the ministries of National Security, Finance, Health and Education.

To accommodate the new members, Sharmarke demoted and fired other ministers. Changes in the Cabinet signal an easing in relations between Sharmarke and President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

The two leaders had a falling out in May after Ahmed fired Sharmarke, saying he wanted to end divisions in the government. Sharmarke challenged the decision and Ahmed later reversed it. The prime minister consulted with the president on these Cabinet appointments.

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