Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed Abdi Farah Shirdon as the country’s prime minister Saturday.
Reports say Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon is an economist who ran an import business in Kenya.
The appoinment is reportedly believed to be part of the administration in rebuilding stability in the country.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office last month after being chosen by parliament in a UN-backed proceeding.
In his remarks at Washington DC, Deputy Spokesperson Mark C. Toner says the United States welcomes the confirmation of the new Somali Cabinet by the Somalia Federal Parliament on November 13.
“This overwhelming endorsement by the federal Parliament is historic and marks progress in ushering in a new era of accountable and representative leadership.” -Mr. Toner
He adds it also demonstrates continued constructive cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities in Somalia.
He noted that the new cabinet, with equal minority clan representation, reflects the diversity of the Somali population; and the presence of two women, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adan and Minister of Social Services and Development Dr. Mariam Kasim, underscores the active participation of women in Somali society.
Mr. Toner stresses that the United States remains steadfast in its support for the Somali people and looks forward to working with the new cabinet as it begins the challenging work to promote security, stabilization, and economic revitalization for all of Somalia’s regions and people.
In September this year, one week after the historic selection of a new leader in war-torn Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inaugurated in the capital of Mogadishu.
Reports say Mohamud won the election against outgoing President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed by the legislative vote of 190 to 79.
The inauguration ceremony was reportedly participated by prominent regional leaders including the PM of Ethiopia and president of Djibouti.
The international community has hailed the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as a “new era” for the war-scarred nation.
The international community believes the inauguration of the new President marks the end of the transitional period and the beginning of a “new era” for a country that has been engulfed with turmoil over several decades.
The new President has reportedly survived a deadly attack on a hotel in Mogadishu, where he was giving a press conference after his election.
In 2011, Mohamud reportedly organized a new political party in Somalia named Peace and Development.
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon hailed the selection of a new president for Somalia.
Mr. Ban said the selection of the new President brings an end to the eight-year political transition.
Mr. Ban congratulated the New Federal Parliament and its Speaker for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the process.
In addition, the United States of America also congratulated President Hassan Sheikh and the Somali people on a successful election.
In August this year, Somalia’s National Constitutional Assembly has approved a Provisional Constitution in historic vote on Wednesday.
Reports say the approval of the new constitution is a key milestone towards ending the country’s current transitional period.
Delegates to the Somalia’s National Constituent Assembly is a 825-member constituent assembly, with delegates representing Somali clans and civil society.
The leaders reportedly debated the constitution for nine days and approved the constitution with 621 for, 13 against and 11 abstained from voting.
The National Constituent Assembly represented the diverse concerns of the nation as it reviewed and ultimately approved the Provisional Constitution.
Somalia has been in constant wars for past two past decades since the collapse of the Somali state in January 21, 1991. Millions of lives were lost and countless number of people had been internally displaced.
Somalia is the country worst affected by a severe drought that has ravaged large swaths of the Horn of Africa, leaving an estimated 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
