SFUD elects former prime minister as its chairman

The Somali Forum for Unity and Democracy today convened its first National Founders Conference at the Peoples House, the Forum’s headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The Forum, which brings together political actors, civil society stakeholders, and other prominent personalities offers the first nationwide dialogue on the country’s priorities and is a key catalyst for the reform agenda and the implementation of Vision 2016.

Founders of the Forum at the conference endorsed the ideals of the Forum; discussed and approved the Forum’s Provisional Constitution and program framework for the first six-months. The founders also elected former Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed as Chair, 2012 Presidential Candidate Abdurahman Maalin Abdullahi as Deputy Chair, former Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Arab Esse as Deputy Chair, prominent Somali academic Professor Abdishukur Sheikh Hassan Fiqi as Deputy Chair and former Minister of Health Ali Mohamed Mohamud as Secretary-General. The election process was conducted in an open, democratic, and transparent manner.

While acknowledging the important groundwork covered by the Forum and its Parliamentary group, founders and guests at the conference praised the Forum for its Pan-Somali approach and expect the elected leaders to deliver on its principles.

The Forum represents a concerted effort to champion for a clear political roadmap where the public, political actors and state institutions will be engaged in dialogue for reform to return power to the people.