Somalia's new PM gains confidence vote 24 Nov 24, 2007 - 7:18:48 PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Nov 24 (Garowe Online) - In a session attended by 212 lawmakers that has seen only one abstention, Somali parliamentarians overwhelmingly gave the confidence vote to newly-appointed Prime Minister Col. Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein, a veteran humanitarian chief who presided over the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) during the country's decade and half long stateless period.
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, who attended Saturday's session, urged parliament to forget previous political divisions and succeed in during critical time.
Since its formation in neighboring Kenya in 2004, the interim parliament has endured political divisions that incapacitated the transitional federal government of Somalia. The conflict that had erupted between President Yusuf and former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi divided the government into factions.
Nur "Adde" Hassan, Somali prime minister After the unopposed vote, PM Nur Adde was sworn for the post saying he would work sincerely for the interests of the Somali people and that his government would focus on the reconciliation process, security and gaining international confidence.
The prime minister asserted that his proposed government would be efficient and would come from outside and inside the parliament.
It is to be recalled that Somali parliament recently approved a bill allowing the nomination of none parliamentarians for ministerial posts. The bill paved the way for Nur's nomination as he is not a member of parliament.
The amendment was made for the sake of adding effective members and opponents to the government and was backed by the international community, notably the United States government.
Demonstrations
Since the nomination of Nur Adde as Somalia's second premier since 2004, a large number of civilians have marched the streets of different regions in Somalia to express their support for the new prime minister.
Explaining his political plans, the Somali premier promised to reach out to opposition groups, including those in the country and exiled leaders in Asmara, Eritrea.
It is not clear whether the opposition will accept any mediation since the Ethiopian troops are still in the country, a key factor dividing the government and the opposition.
Nur Adde's nomination, however, coincides with resumed violence in the capital, where daily insurgent attacks and government and Ethiopian troops' counter-operations displaced nearly one million civilians from Mogadishu, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
Source: Garowe online
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