Secretary-General, Welcoming Parliamentary Endorsement of Somalia’s New Prime Minister, Says Political Leadership Needed to Deliver Ambitious Agenda

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon:

The Secretary‑General welcomes the parliamentary endorsement of Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke as the new Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia.  He encourages the new Prime Minister, the President and the Speaker of Parliament to work together to regain momentum in the political process and to maintain a close working relationship with the interim regional administrations and emerging federal Member States.

The Secretary‑General commends the outgoing Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, and his Government for their contribution to peacebuilding and State-building in Somalia.

The Secretary-General urges all parties to work on swift establishment of an inclusive Federal Government.  Political leadership is required to deliver the ambitious agenda of peacebuilding and political transformation.  He encourages the country’s leaders to redouble their efforts to this end and take steps to prevent future political crises.

The Secretary‑General notes the significant progress made in pushing back Al‑Shabaab, building a Federal State and strengthening institutions.  He underlines that much still needs to be done before the Federal Government’s mandate expires in September 2016, and he reaffirms the United Nations’ continuing support.