Sharmarke said his government would focus on improving security, combatting corruption, and establishing good governance.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Newly-appointed Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has unveiled his new government and urged the parliament to give it confidence.
In a televised speech late Sunday, Sharmarke said that the line-up of his 59-strong government was approved by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, noting that it was formed following "intensive consultations" with officials and civil society representatives.
The line-up comprised of 25 ministers, 25 deputy ministers and nine state ministers. While some ministers from the previous government of Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed kept their portfolios, the new cabinet saw several new faces, including those responsible for the security file.
In his speech, Sharmarke said his government would focus on improving the security situation in the country, combatting corruption, and establishing good governance in order to "extricate Somalia from its current crisis."
Late last month, Sharmarke has won the confidence of the country's legislative assembly after he was named by Mohamoud as prime minister on the heels of a dispute with Ahmed, from which the parliament withdrew confidence in a December 6 vote.
Born in Somalia in 1969, Sharmarke is the son of former Somali President Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke.
The younger Sharmarke graduated from Somali National University in 1984. In 2000, he received a Master's Degree in economics and political science from Canada's Carlton University.
He currently carries dual Somali-Canadian citizenship.
In 2008, Sharmarke was appointed Somali ambassador to the U.S. He could not, however, carry out his diplomatic responsibilities because Washington did not recognize Somalia's transitional government at the time.
He was appointed prime minister in 2009, but had to submit his resignation one year later due to differences with then-President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
The same year, Sharmarke was appointed Somali ambassador to the U.S. – for the second time – after which he was welcomed by Washington, which had by that time recognized the national government.