IGAD congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on election as Somalia's president-Xinhua

IGAD congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on election as Somalia's president

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-05-16 22:38:28

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seen during the presidential election in Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 15, 2022. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

The East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as Somalia's president.

ADDIS ABABA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as Somalia's president.

In a press statement, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu, hailed the election of the new Somalia president on Sunday evening as an exercise marking the successful conclusion of the country's election cycle.

"The Executive Secretary notes that Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's victory, earning him a second stint in the office of the President of Somalia, is a clear testimony of the trust and confidence that the people of Somalia have in his leadership qualities," said the IGAD statement.

"The Executive Secretary expresses confidence that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will move expeditiously to form an inclusive cabinet and begin the task of uniting the Somali people and tackle other urgent national priorities, including preserving the security gains, sustaining focus on fighting al- Shabaab, and addressing the dire humanitarian situation in the country," said the statement.

Gebeyehu said IGAD stands ready to continue its support to the Somalia government to help deliver on its national priorities as well as in its promotion of regional integration and development.

Somalia's Parliament on Sunday evening chose Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country's new president in a third-round runoff in an election that has been delayed for over a year.

The 67-year-old Mohamud, former Somalian president in 2012-2017, won 214 votes from lawmakers, defeating incumbent President Mohamed Farmajo, who garnered 110 votes. Mohamud was immediately sworn in after the vote.

The presidential election was held 15 months behind schedule as the COVID-19 epidemic, severe drought, insecurity and differences among Somali leaders postponed the parliamentary elections to April.

Sunday's vote was held at a heavily guarded airport hangar in the capital Mogadishu, amid threats from the al-Shabab terrorist group.

Police had imposed a curfew and a no-fly zone in the city to prevent attacks by a militant group that has been fighting to overthrow the government.   

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