UN, US urge new Somali president to form inclusive cabinet to address challenges
Mogadishu, Somalia (PANA) - The United Nations and United States of America have congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as the president of the Federal Republic of Somalia and expressed the hope that he will swiftly form an inclusive Cabinet to address the challenges of the country.
In separate statements issued on Monday, they pledged continued support for the people and government for a peaceful and democratic country.
In Sunday's election, Mohamd defeated a field of about 35 candidates, including outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmaajo,’ to win the election after three rounds of voting by the parliamentarians.
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his hope the new president would move swiftly to form an inclusive Cabinet, and that the new Government and federal member states would work closely together to advance critical national priorities and address the challenges Somalia faces.
He said he looked forward to continuing to "closely work with the new administration to advance Somalia’s state-building agenda and address the dire humanitarian situation in the country".
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, also congratulated President Mohamud on his victory.
He expressed “appreciation to the other candidates, and particularly outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohamed 'Farmaajo' for respecting the outcome and for continuing the Somali tradition of embracing whoever wins and supporting them going forward – the atmosphere tonight, I think, was very positive”.
“There have been some difficult moments in this lengthy election. However, I believe that (tonight's) process demonstrated that it was a genuine horse race, that it was a competitive election, and that there was an opportunity for all of the candidates to contest fairly, and, so I think this is an opportunity now to demonstrate that the outcome is credible,” Mr. Swan said.
“Now it's time for Somalis and for Somalia's friends to come together to support the new government as it is installed, and to work on the critical national priorities that still face Somalia,” he said. “There's much work to be done, and we look forward to being Somalia's partners going forward.”
Mr. Swan noted that some of the country’s critical priorities include finishing the constitutional review process, addressing urgent needs for improved development, security and the current drought.
Also in a tweet on Monday, the UN mission in Somalia praised Somalia's parliamentary Speakers and Deputy Speakers, the presidential election organising committee and professional parliamentary staff, as well as Somali security forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, for ensuring the orderly, peaceful, and secure electoral process.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his statement said with the conclusion of the electoral process, "Somalia now has an opportunity to focus on the political, economic and security reforms necessary to advance the interests of the people of Somalia".
"We encourage President Hassan Sheikh and all of Somalia’s leaders to prioritise strengthening democratic governance and institutions; developing security forces to prevent and counter terrorism and assume full security responsibility from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.
The leaders should also enact economic reforms to complete the path to debt relief and strengthen the economy and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the millions of Somalis suffering from devastating drought.
"Reconciliation, compromise, and enhanced dialogue among all levels of government and all communities will be vital to the success of these efforts," Mr Blinken said.
-0- PANA MA 17May2022
