The Somali president on Thursday named a Somali-American to succeed the prime minister whose resignation last month brought the weak transitional government to a standstill.
“After long consultations and prayers,” President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed said at a news conference in Mogadishu, “we have succeeded in nominating the right and proper person.”
“I hope,” President Sharif said, “that he will succeed in the difficult task ahead.”
The previous prime minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, resigned Sept. 21 after months of intense pressure from the president. Disputes between the two siphoned focus from the government even as Islamist militants increased their attacks.
Despite the deployment of African Union peacekeepers to bolster the central government, the Shabab insurgent group controls much of the country, including most of the capital.
The appointee, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, worked in the Somali Embassy in Washington from 1985 to 1988, according to a statement on the government’s Web site, The Associated Press reported. He has a master’s degree in political science and taught conflict resolution and leadership skills at Erie Community College in Buffalo, The A.P. said, citing his résumé.
“I am ready to work with the members of the Parliament, and if God wills, I will appoint the new council of ministers soon,” Mr. Mohamed said. “Security is the first priority for my government.”
Source: nytimes
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