IC hails new President Farmajo, urge quick response to challenges facing the country

The international community has welcomed and hailed the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in a tightly contested race last night while applauding outgoing president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for conceding defeat to ‘facilitate peaceful and orderly transfer of power’.

In a joint statement Wednesday, the UN, EU, regional body IGAD and other countries said the new leader needs to move quickly to address a myriad of challenges facing the country particularly the ongoing drought which is fast evolving into a famine.

“President Farmajo faces a formidable set of challenges in meeting the expectations of the Somali people. They will expect the new federal government to respond to the country’s worsening drought crisis and avert another famine,” the statement read in part.

The partners assured the President of their support in implementing his election agenda notably improving security for all Somalis. “This will require continued partnership with the African Union and international donors,’ the partners added.

The President will also have to address other immediate challenges such as reconciliation and ‘peaceful resolution of a number of local conflicts and the resumption of the constitutional review process, not least to map out the pathway to one-person, one-vote elections in 2020,” the international community observed.

UN envoy to Somalia Michael Keating said the peaceful election of a new president should boost the confidence of the country’s future. “The international community is eager to partner with the new President, the Federal Government of Somalia, the country’s federal member states and the people of Somalia in responding to these challenges,” said Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia. “Yesterday’s orderly and peaceful transfer of power is a major achievement for Somalia and should boost confidence in the country’s future both at home and abroad.

Meanwhile other world leaders have welcomed and congratulated the new leader. UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson said in a tweet the UK was committed to supporting Somalia for a bright future.

“Congratulations to new President of #Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. UK committed to supporting a bright future for Somali people,” said Johnson.

The UK in Somalia also extended its felicitations to the new leader and echoed its country’s committement to Somalia.

“Congratulations to #Somalia‘s newly elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.@UKinSomalia looks forward to a strong partnership with you.”