MOGADISHU – A quiet but dramatic power shift has taken place within Somalia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, where Minister Bashir Mohamed Jama, a high-ranking military officer, has effectively handed over control of the ministry’s most crucial functions to Abdullahi Godah Barre – a long-time politician with no formal cabinet appointment for this docket.
Despite Bashir Mohamed Jama being the minister in name, sources inside the ministry say he has largely abdicated his authority, allowing Godah Barre, his principal advisor, to take the reins – particularly in handling Somalia’s climate finance negotiations. This move has triggered alarm and criticism, as Godah, while politically experienced, lacks any technical background in environmental policy or climate change.
Several ministry officials now openly refer to Godah as the “de facto” minister of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, arguing that he wields more power than Bashir himself. They say they must first convince Godah of something they want before Bashir can no longer decline.
In what some describe as an unprecedented move, Minister Bashir has delegated Somalia’s most critical climate finance responsibilities to Godah Barre, effectively making him the country’s chief representative in securing international funding for climate action. Bashir designated Godah as the Primary Contact Person for Somalia’s relations with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a key global financing mechanism that supports climate resilience projects. Additionally, Godah has been made the Designated Authority for the Adaptation Fund, another major source of international climate financing.
Beyond these roles, Godah Barre has also been appointed as the National Operational Focal Point for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), granting him significant control over how GEF funds are allocated and used in Somalia. He has further been entrusted as the Political Focal Point for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Partnership, giving him authority over Somalia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and climate policy negotiations.
By granting Godah these designations, Minister Bashir has effectively sidelined the ministry’s State Minister and Deputy Minister as well as professional climate experts in the Ministry, leaving key climate finance and policy matters in the hands of an unappointed cabinet member, with sources within the ministry saying that the Director General, Yusuf Abdirahman Samatar, has informed them of the authority now wielded by Godah.
Observers believe that Minister Bashir’s decision to “transfer his powers” to Godah was a calculated move to shield himself from embarrassment in high-level climate negotiations. As a military officer with no background in climate and environmental issues, Bashir is said to have struggled with engaging in technical discussions and shaping national strategies.
However, some argue that the decision is not just about avoiding scrutiny. A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Shabelle Media Network: “Yes, part of this is about shielding the minister, but there’s also a financial motive. Controlling access to climate funds gives them the ability to channel resources however they see fit. The risk here is that donor money meant for Somalia’s climate response might not reach the people who need it most.”
The growing focus over climate finance has raised fears that funds could be mismanaged, diverted, or used for political interests rather than genuine environmental projects.
This is not the first time Minister Bashir Mohamed Jama has faced scrutiny over his suitability for a ministerial role. Before his appointment to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, he was briefly named Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development – a move that was met with heavy criticism and backlash.
Human rights organisations questioned how a senior military general – who had spent decades in the security sector – could credibly lead discussions on women’s representation and human rights. His attempted participation in a global forum on women’s rights in New York reportedly led to public embarrassment, prompting the government to quietly move him to the Environment Ministry.
Now, instead of leading his new ministry, he appears to have relinquished control to Godah Barre.
The leadership confusion comes amid serious corruption allegations against the ministry’s Director General, Yusuf Abdirahman Samatar. Reports suggest that Samatar has been implicated in multiple scandals involving financial mismanagement, extortion and abuse of office – further damaging the ministry’s already fragile reputation.
A senior government insider warned: “The ministry has become a hotbed for financial mismanagement. The focus is no longer on climate action – it’s about who controls the money.”
Somalia is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing worsening droughts, deforestation and desertification. The country desperately needs international climate funding to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies. However, with leadership in disarray and growing allegations of financial mismanagement, there are rising concerns that Somalia’s ability to secure and properly manage climate funds could be compromised.
International donors may hesitate to commit further funding if transparency issues persist. Meanwhile, Somali communities on the frontlines of climate change – particularly those suffering from food insecurity and water shortages – could be left without the support they urgently need.
For now, Bashir Mohamed Jama remains the “de jure” minister, but Godah Barre has assumed real power as the “de facto” minister of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. This unprecedented situation raises troubling questions about governance, accountability and Somalia’s ability to maintain credibility in global climate negotiations.
As the controversy unfolds, Shabelle Media Network will continue to investigate and report on the latest developments.
