President Farmaajo to seek Parliament’s nod for new PM today

Somalia's newly-elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo addresses lawmakers after winning the vote at the airport in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Feisal Omar — Somalia’s newly-elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo addresses lawmakers after winning the vote at the airport in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo will today present his pick for premier Hassan Ali Khaire to the House for approval as he seeks a speedy formation of new government to address immediate challenges such as the ongoing famine.

Article 69 (2) of the Provisional Constitution mandates the Lower House of Parliament to debate and pass a vote on the new PM with a simple majority vote (50+1) required to endorse the President’s choice.

The President is expected to address a joint seating of both Houses of Parliament ahead of the debate on the PM pick by the Lower House.

President Farmaajo urged parliament this past week to endorse Khaire so that he could quickly form a new government as the four year journey begins. Noting the successive presidents for the last four years have had to hire and fire up to nine Prime Ministers in total, the president pledged to work with Khaire until end of term.

“It is of vital importance for the country that parliament’s vote of confidence be held as soon as possible to confirm the prime minister’s appointment,” said the president shortly after returned to the country from Saudi Arabia.

Khaire a former oil executive and shareholder at British oil explorer Soma Oil and Gas will require support from the House which is now more cosmopolitan in terms of age and gender.