Somalia: President Hassan inaugurated in Mogadishu, speaks about way forward 16 Sep 16, 2012 - 8:20:17 AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Sep 16 2012 (Garowe Online) – New President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud, was inaugurated live in Mogadishu’s tightly secured police academy on Sunday, with many foreign dignitaries in attendance, Garowe Online reports.
President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud
In attendance at the swearing in ceremony were Djibouti President Ismail Omar Gelle and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and African Union’s Chairperson Jean Ping along with diplomats from Qatar and Sudan.
Djibouti’s President Gelle who has been deeply involved in Somalia’s extended reconciliation process said a few words at President Hassan’s inauguration.
“I hope that President Hassan is a leader who regards and manages all of Somalia as one and brings much needed change to this country,” said President Gelle.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed gave an extended speech at Sunday’s inauguration about his tenure and the way forward.
“I have had a lot of trials and tribulations in my tenure but my government has moved forward, and established some real progress and now Somalia has moved out of transitional government and into a recognized one,” said outgoing President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
President Sharif said that he hoped that Somalia continues its forward progress and that President Hassan strengthens government institutions.
President Hassan gave a brief speech at his inauguration ceremony discussing his political strategy for Somalia under his new leadership.
“Our first plan is to bring stability to Somalia as a whole by establishing security which is our first, second and third plans followed by strengthening our current justice systems so that our people have faith in our justice system,” said President Hassan.
The new leader's next action plan was the need for economic development in Somalia by creating much needed jobs so that every family is able to meet average living standards.
President Hassan’s fourth action plan was to bring harmony among Somalis who have fought bitterly over clan and religious affiliations throughout the past 20 years.
“Our government will do everything that we can to bring Somalis together and refrain from anything that will separate or cause animosity amongst Somalis,” said President Hassan.
The newly elected leader also spoke about working with the international community who he requested view Somalia differently than in the past.
“I am requesting that the international community change the spectacles that they have been viewing Somalia in for the past 20 years and pick up new ones,” said President Hassan.
The newly elected leader is expected to choose a Prime Minister in the coming days; Somalis and the international community watches closely as to who will be the new Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
