Somalia parliament endorses new PM

Somalia parliament endorses new PM

Somalia's new Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre pledged to form a government focused on 'inclusive political stability'
Somalia's new Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre pledged to form a government focused on 'inclusive political stability'. Photo: Hasan Ali Elmi / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!

Somalia's parliament on Saturday unanimously endorsed Hamza Abdi Barre as new prime minister, paving the way for the creation of a new government for the troubled Horn of Africa nation.

All 220 lawmakers present gave their blessing to Barre's appointment, and he was then sworn in to office, the parliament speaker said.

Barre 48, told parliament he would form a "quality" government that would focus on "creating inclusive political stability (in line with) the president's motto of a reconciled Somalia that is at peace with the world".

Somalia's new adminstration faces a raft of challenges including a looming famine and a grinding insurgency by Al-Shabaab jihadists.

The MP from the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland was chosen earlier this month by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by parliament in May after a long-delayed and stormy voting process.

Read also

UK's Johnson holds talks with Rwanda leader on migrant deal

"Our government has an ambitious policy programme which seeks to improve our security, strengthen our economy and deliver basic services for our people," Mohamud said on Twitter after Barre was approved.

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!

"Let us move forward together."

There are hopes that Mohamud's presidency will draw the line under a seething political crisis that blighted the rule of his predecessor Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and threatened to plunge the country back into violent chaos.

Mohamud himself did not appear at the parliamentary session after he said on Friday that he had tested positive for Covid-19.

"So far, I have no symptoms but I will continue to self-isolate and serve the people of Somalia from home," he said on Twitter after returning from the United Arab Emirates where he had made his first official trip abroad since his election on May 15.

Read also

Tunisia trade unions chief rejects IMF reforms

Mohamud is a former academic and peace activist who was previously president from 2012 to 2017 but whose first administration was dogged by claims of corruption and infighting.

PAY ATTENTION: check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.