MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United Nations has welcomed the appointment of Mohamed Hussein Roble as the new Prime Minister of the federal government of Somalia, which has struggled with stability, over 30 years after the ouster of military leader Siad Barre, who ruled the country for two decades.
In July, the Somali parliament fired Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, claiming that after months of negotiations, he had not prepared for a one-person-one vote. Khaire served in the office for three years, the longest period ever in Somalia’s history, as his predecessors served for a very short period.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo chose Roble, an engineer by profession, as a replacement for Khaire just last week, almost two months after the post became vacant. He was picked up from the International Labor Organization, a UN facility based in Nairobi, where he had worked most of his life.
And on Wednesday, the United Nations approved Roble’s appointment, adding that they will work closely with him to deliver Somalis’ ambitions. The UN, the agency added, will support him in meeting the ambitions of the people of Somalia, who have been fighting for peace and stability for the past few years.
“The UN family warmly congratulates Mohamed Roble on his confirmation as Somalia’s new Prime Minister wishes him success as he assumes this key leadership role at a critical time in the country’s history and assures him of UN support, solidarity and co-operation,” the statement read.
During Wednesday’s parliamentary session in Mogadishu, Roble was approved by 215 MPs who attended the meeting. No MP abstained, further indicating that he has a firm grip on the House, which is responsible for putting him in control by ensuring that various government projects are implemented across the country.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who attended the session of Parliament, asked the new Prime Minister to work with MPs to ensure that various projects are implemented by the government. He paid tribute to the new Prime Minister for supporting the government’s agenda for the last few years as he worked with the UN agency.
“I am convinced that you will help us implement various projects launched across the country. We are pretty sure that the government will carry out its work properly because of your experience in case management,” said Farmajo to him moments after swearing in by the new prime minister.
Roble is expected to help the country hold timely elections later this year, with management settling on the constituency model, with 101 voters running in the election. However, the model has not yet been approved by the international community, which is responsible for supporting the country’s institutions.
Somalia is expected to hold elections in November before the presidential referendums in February 2021. Farmajo is already facing stiff competition from Wadajir leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with Khaire, who announced his bid last week.
AXADLETM
