The nomination of Mr Farmajo as prime minister in October took most observers by surprise, not least because of his political inexperience (November 2010, The political scene). It has also revealed continuing rifts within the transitional federal government (TFG). Endorsement of Mr Farmajo in his new position by the FTP took more than two weeks to complete, on October 31st. Delays occurred as MPs argued over how voting should be carried out after the parliamentary speaker, Sharif Hasan Sheikh Aden, attempted to conduct a secret ballot, a move condemned as unconstitutional by Mr Sharif. Relations between Mr Sharif and Mr Aden, a former finance minister in Mr Sharif's administration, deteriorated further when Mr Aden called on the UN and the African Union (AU) to intervene and help to solve the government's political differences.

Mr Farmajo announced a trimmed-down cabinet of 18 ministers-less than half the size of the previous administration-in a ceremony held at the presidential palace in Mogadishu on November 12th. However, his team was given parliamentary approval only on November 27th, after an earlier attempt to endorse the cabinet had ended in scuffles between MPs arguing about whether the vote should be secret or by a show of hands. Only two ministers from the previous government are included in Mr Farmajo's new ministerial line-up: the minister of finance, Hussain Abdi Halane, who is well regarded by the international community, retains an enlarged portfolio comprising finance and the Treasury; and Mohamed Abdi Ibrahim, the former minister for humanitarian affairs, who moves to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Other key appointments include:

• Abdihakim Mohamed Haji Fiqi (defence)
• Mohamed Abdullahi Omar (foreign affairs)
• Abdishakur Sheikh Hasan Farah (internal affairs and security)
• Ahmad Abdirahman (ports and transport)
• Mahmud Mohamed (federal constitution and reconciliation)
• Abdullahi Abyan Nur (justice)
• Abdiwali Mohamed (planning and international co-operation)
• Abdirashid Hashi (public works and reconstruction)
• Abdirizaq Sheikh Muhiddin (minerals, energy and petroleum)
• Abdikarin Hasan Jama (information)