Mogadishu 23 February 2017 – Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo was yesterday inaugurated as the ninth President of Somalia in a grand ceremony attended by more than 1,200 guests including two heads of state, a prime minister and representatives of the international community.
In his 25-minute speech, flanked by two former presidents, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Farmaajo promised to make Somalia great again.
He cited strengthening security and tackling the current drought as his immediate priorities and urged the public to support him in his mission.
“As the president of Somalia, I will strive to restore the image of the country and make Somalia great again but we face a number of challenges and these are insecurity and a severe humanitarian crisis. I will foster reconciliation, uphold the rule of law, strengthen the judiciary, restore confidence of the people in the government and tackle poverty,” President Farmaajo said at the function held in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
The colourful event was attended by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti. Also present was the Assistant President of Sudan, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed; the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalgn; the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira; the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Michael Keating and the European Union (EU) Representative for the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, among other dignitaries.
President Farmaajo lauded the contribution made by the international community, particularly the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in stabilizing Somalia and helping provide a conducive atmosphere for the elections.
“The international community has been very supportive. This was spearheaded by AMISOM troops who secured the locations of the electoral process. We cannot forget the support rendered by the international community who made the electoral process possible,” President Farmaajo stated.
Ambassador Madeira on his part spoke of the role that Somalia played in past liberation struggles on the African continent and in the formation of the Organization of the African Union (OAU), now African Union (AU), and pledged to support the present government.
“The African Union is with you Mr. President as you take over your responsibilities and will remain by your side as you confront each of the many challenges currently afflicting your people,” Ambassador Madeira said.
Mr. Rondos hailed the peaceful handover of power witnessed in the country, promising EU’s continued support to Somalia in its effort to achieve lasting peace and security.
“Today as you confront new challenges, as the Somali people whom you now embody and personify, we wish to offer our total support. You have a moment in which there is great hope among Somalis. That hope is that every son and daughter of your country feels they can live in safety and security,” the EU Special Representative observed.
President Kenyatta lauded the people of Somalia for conducting a successful election and pledged to deepen cooperation with Somalia.
“Today I wish to reaffirm the commitment of my administration to continue building on the sound bilateral relations that exist between our two nations,” the Kenyan President observed.
He noted that the successful election and peaceful transfer of power was a clear demonstration of the desire and ability of the people of Somalia to make their own decision to strengthen governance and build sustainable peace.
President Guelleh spoke of the good bilateral relations that exist between the two countries, adding that his country was willing to make sacrifices for Somalia.
“We have been here before but we want to extend a brotherly and friendly gesture and are willing to make both human and financial sacrifices. We love it when Somalis agree amongst themselves and resolve their own problems. We want Somalia to play its role in the region as it used to in the past and we want to see Somalia living in harmony with the rest of the world,” the Djiboutian President stated.
Prime Minister Desalgn praised the people of Somalia for holding peaceful elections and setting a good example for other African countries.
“The people of Somalia have made history and set a great example to countries in conflict and countries emerging out conflict in the continent and elsewhere. This is a clear indication that none other than Somalis can decide on their fate,” he said.
The sentiments were echoed by the outgoing Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who urged Somalis both within and in the diaspora to support the new President and his government.
The inauguration of Farmaajo comes two weeks after he won a hotly contested the presidential election on 8th February, this year.
