Somalia’s new prime minister urged to form effective government
November 1, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – The United Nations envoy for Somalia on Sunday called on the country’s newly elected Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, to form an effective government, according to the UN news service.
Congratulating the new premier, the UN envoy, Augustine P. Mahiga, hoped that the new government will strive for unity and combat the long standing instability challenges facing the war-torn horn nation.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Mohamed and encourage him to form his government so that he can gain momentum in completing the critical tasks ahead during this transitional period,” Augustine P. Mahiga, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, said in a news release issued after the new leader was confirmed.
Somalia’s new Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, whose position was endorsed in a vote at the parliament, was sworn in on Monday to take office at a ceremony held inside the presidential residence in Mogadishu in the presence of senior government officials and diplomats.
Speaking after the ceremony, the new Prime Minister promised to form a government of national unity and vowed that his government will tackle the country’s security, social and economic problems.
The UN envoy acknowledged the collective and consistent support being made to the weak Somali government from the international community, the African Union and the east African organization the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Somalia which has been torn apart by decades of conflict has not had a functioning central government since 1991.
The UN says the country is also facing grave humanitarian crisis. Figures indicate that some 3.2 million people, more than 40 per cent of the population, is in need of aid.
Currently, there are 7,000 African Union peacekeeping troops deployed in the country, protecting the Somali government from Islamist insurgents believed to have links with Al-Qaeda.
(ST)