Somali president nominates Hamza Abdi Barre as prime minister .Barre was voted in as a parliamentarian in Kismayo, the commercial capital of Jubbaland, in December.
Somalia’s president has nominated Hamza Abdi Barre, a former chairman of the Jubbaland state election commission, as prime minister.
“I ask the parliament to approve him as soon as possible. I ask the prime minister to fulfil the work before him like tackling insecurity, drought, climate change and good relations with all countries,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on state television on Wednesday.
Hamza Abdi Barre, left, received the prime minister’s job from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,
right [Presidential Press Service via Reuters]
“I took this decision after recognising Hamza’s knowledge, experience, and ability,” Mohamud later told journalists.
Mohamud won the presidency for the second time in May, having previously served from 2012 to 2017, after a long-delayed election that took place against a backdrop of the worst drought in 40 years and a bloody armed rebellion.
Mohamud unveiled his choice for prime minister just six days after he was inaugurated at a ceremony in Mogadishu attended by several regional heads of state.
“I thank God for making Somalia hold a fair election after a period of such uncertainty,” said Barre. “I assure you I will work day and night, and I will put together the best cabinet.”
‘Wish him success’
Barre’s nomination comes after a bitter rift between former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who attempted to extend his presidency, and former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, with security forces splintering into factions supporting either of the men.
The rivalry triggered gun battles between different security organs and distracted them from the fight against al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab fighters, who control large swaths of the country and have killed tens of thousands of people in attacks.
The political crisis also diverted attention from a growing humanitarian emergency forcing more than six million Somalis to depend on food aid.
“I congratulate the new Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and wish him success,” Roble said in a comment shared on the state radio’s Twitter account.
Barre, whose name had circulated widely before his appointment was officially announced, was voted in as a lawmaker in Kismayo, the commercial capital of Jubbaland, in December in a long-delayed and chaotic parliamentary election process.
He served in a number of public and political roles and from 2011 to 2017 was secretary-general of the Peace and Development Party (PDP), the precursor to the Union for Peace and Development (UDP) now led by Mohamud.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES