MOGADISHU: Somalia’s president named economist Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed as his new prime minister yesterday, ending weeks of political paralysis as the country strives to secure fragile security gains against Islamist militants.
Ahmed previously worked at the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia. He replaces Abdi Farah Shirdon, who was forced out by lawmakers in a vote of no confidence after falling out with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
“We have found Abdiweli Sheikh is the most suitable man to become Somalia’s prime minister,” Mohamud told a crowd of ministers, lawmakers and military officials at the heavily fortified presidential palace.
“We hope he will move Somalia forward.”
Western donors had worried a prolonged vacuum at the head of government would disrupt efforts to rebuild state institutions and defeat Al Qaeda-linked militants who control swathes of the south and centre of the Horn of Africa country.
Ahmed was born in the southern Gedo region and is a newcomer to Somali politics, just as Mohamud was when he was elected by lawmakers 15 months ago.
Foreign allies saw Mohamud and his new government as Somalia’s best chance in two decades to shake off the tag of “failed state”. But he struggled to overcome divisive clan politics, corruption and an Islamist insurgency.
Relations between Mohamud and Shirdon broke down over the composition of a new cabinet.
REUTERS
