Somalia's MPs unanimously endorse new PM

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Lawmakers approved President Farmajo's nomination for a new prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on Wednesday, following a session inside the presidential palace, Villa Somalia.

The country's Lower House of parliament voted in favor of the little-known premier. He received 215 votes from all MPs present with no abstentions or rejection, according to the speaker Mohamed Mursal who announced the result.

Today's vote clears the new PM to form a government. He will now proceed to select his cabinet and all eyes are on him particularly regarding the size of the executive branch and whether he will pick from parliament or reinstate outgoing ministers.

Roble was appointed by president Farmajo on the 17th of this month to replace Hassan Ali Khaire who was ousted last July in a vote of a no-confidence tabled following a power struggle with the head of state.

Roble, 57, is a graduate of Somali National University, where he studied civil engineering. He fled to Sweden. He has worked for the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency Somalia. 

Prior to his appointment, Farmajo and leaders of the Federal States announced a 15-point elections agreement that allows the sides to appoint joint electoral commissions to manage voting and related processes. 

Per the deal, election planning will begin November 1 in two locations in all five Federal States. The members representing the northern breakaway region of Somaliland in both houses will be elected in Mogadishu.

In addition, the agreement which the international partners said fell short of the country's direct voting goal also preserves a quota guaranteeing women 30% of the seats in the parliament’s 275-member lower chamber and 54-member upper chamber. 

GAROWE ONLINE