Somalia’s international partners reaffirm their commitment to country following election

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia's international partners issued a joint statement Monday for the first time since it elected a new president, saying they will remain steadfast in their commitment to the country and congratulated leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

"We look forward to understanding the new president’s priorities so that we can work together to advance peace, prosperity and sound governance in Somalia," they said.

The joint statement came from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States (LAS), the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Qatar, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Russian Federation, Sudan, Sweden, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, the UK, the US and the United Nations.

They also congratulated Mohamud on his election as president of the Federal Government of Somalia.

'We thank outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’ for honoring Somalia’s political tradition by immediately accepting the electoral results and pledging support to his successor," the statement said.

The world powers also expressed appreciation to Somalia’s parliamentary leadership and professional staff, the members of the Joint Committee organizing the presidential elections, and the Somali Security Forces and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia for delivering an "orderly, peaceful and secure presidential election.”

Mohamud has met with the country's armed forces commander Brig. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rageh and the police chief, who briefed him on security for the first time since he was elected Sunday by the country's parliament.​​​​​​​

He also met with caretaker Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble as well as parliament speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe, which was his first high-profile meeting since being sworn in as president.