By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA — The newly appointed Minister of Information, Culture and National Guidance, Hon. Barkhad Jama Batuun, has outlined an ambitious vision for his tenure, pledging to reforge the Ministry into a central pillar of Somaliland’s intellectual, spiritual, and cultural renewal.
Assuming office on Saturday following his appointment by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, Minister Batuun described his elevation from parliamentary representative to national spokesman as a profound trust. He emphasized the transition from articulating the concerns of a specific constituency to embodying the unified voice of the Republic.
“For nearly five years, I spoke as the voice of those who elected me. Today, by divine grace and the confidence of the President, I am entrusted to speak as the singular voice of our nation—for the people of Somaliland, for every branch of our armed services, and for the banner of our sovereignty,” Batuun stated.
In defining his mandate, the Minister committed to elevating the Ministry beyond the traditional scope of information dissemination. He articulated a blueprint for an institution that serves as a crucible for national character.
“Under my stewardship, God willing, we will shape this Ministry into a premier hub where knowledge is pursued, where the Holy Qur’an and faith reside at the heart of our mission, and where wisdom and literature flourish,” Batuun declared. “It will stand as a bastion of national consciousness and patriotism, and as a unified stage for the arts, creativity, and cultural expression of the Somaliland people.”
The formal handover also included a fiscal briefing from outgoing Acting Minister and Deputy Minister, Hon. Musa Askar Guleed. He reported a stable financial footing for the incoming leadership, noting that the Ministry had not incurred any fresh liabilities during the interim period.
“I settled 23 percent of the outstanding debt I inherited, and no new obligations have been added under this administration’s watch,” Guleed confirmed.
Minister Batuun concluded his remarks with a prayer for divine guidance, expressing his determination to leave an enduring legacy of service to the nation.
