Somalia: Federal Parliament endorses newly-appointed PM

MOGADISHU, Somalia Dec 24, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Lawmakers in Somalia’s Federal Parliament have endorsed the newly appointed Prime Minister of Somalia Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke in an overwhelming vote on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

Of the 224 MPs in the hall, 218 voted in favor of Prime Minister designate Sharmarke in the presence of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Chief Justice Aideed Abdullahi Ilka Hanaf.

Prior to the parliamentary vote, President Mohamud asked the 275-seat-chamber of parliament to approve the third head of government to be named in two years under his incumbency.

Shortly after the approval, Sharmarke was sworn-in into the office by Chief Justice Ilka Hanaf.

The new Prime Minister is expected to set up a more inclusive cabinet as international community that has been a major financier for Somalia wants to see the country’s time-table towards election by 2016 realized.

On December 6, MPs voted Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed out of office following a month-long impasse.

In December 2013, Abdiweli’s predecessor Shirdon was ousted in similar vote.

Somalia’s nascent institutions appear to be grappling with pervasive corruption and chronic insecurity.

Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC), complex clan politics and personal loyalties have since been a flashpoint for infighting between the President and Prime Minister.

GAROWE ONLINE