Sunday, November 18, 2012
Nairobi, Kenya - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has welcomed the swearing in of the newly-appointed Somali cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon. “The Secretary-General welcomes the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers proposed by Prime Minister Shirdon and endorsed by the Somali Federal Parliament,” a statement by spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
The Somali parliament endorsed the 10-member cabinet, the leanest ever to be appointed in the Horn of Africa nation which has been struggling to restore political and social normalcy since 1991.
“This marks another important step in the determined efforts by Somalia's new leadership to bring about a positive change in Somalia,” the UN Chief said.
The statement said the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, look forward to working with Somali President Hassan Sheikh and the government to implement the six-pillar policy that will guide the country to democratic elections in the next four years.
Somalia is working towards the unity of its respective states, some of which have been seeking full independence.