September 11, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali MPs elects a new president
11 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 154 words
Somalia’s parliamentarians elected yesterday Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a university lecturer as new president for the Horn of Africa country, the first vote of its kind in more than two decades. Mr. Mohamud’s election was held in a highly fortified police academy in Mogadishu and is a significant step forward for a country that has endured more than two decades of war and political instability. Mr. Mohamud, who is from the town of Jalalaqsi in central Somalia, is a political neophyte but has long worked as a community activist for various nongovernmental organizations in Somalia, including the Center of Research and Dialogue (CRD), the International Peace Building Alliance and UNICEF.
Key Headlines
- Journalists congratulate the election of Somalia’s new president Hassan Sheikh (Raxanreeb)
- British PM statement on the election of new Somali president (Bar-Kulan)
- Somali diasporas welcome the newly elected president (Raxanreeb)
- US Command backs Sierra Leone’s Somali military mission (Africa Review)
- EU welcomes new democratic era in Somalia (KUNA)
- Somalia elects a political novice as its new president (Washington Post)
PRESS RELEASE
AU Deputy Special Representative congratulates His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
11 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 432 words
The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi has congratulated His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for being elected President of the Federal Republic of Somalia in a free, fair and transparent process.
He pledged the support of the African Union Commission and that of AMISOM in particular to His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his government and the people of Somalia and look forward to working with him as he embarks on the task ahead of rebuilding the country.
 More importantly, I recognize the role played by the people of Somalia individually and as a nation and in whatever capacity to ensure that this country not only elects a new president in a process that reflects the wishes of majority of citizens but also to bring to a successful end the transition period. Said Wamunyinyi. Â
The immense contribution of the international community in the entire process can not be ignored. I wish therefore to salute the contributions of representatives of the International Community and in particular Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, the UN Special Representative for Somalia in particular for the unwavering support and guidance throughout the entire political process. He added.
Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi recognized the enormous contribution of all security forces and AMISOM in particular for ensuring that the process of ending the transitional period including the National Constituent Assembly, the Technical Selection Committee (TSC) and now the election of the President takes place without any major security incident. He expressed his satisfaction that the process of ending the transition despite being a difficult one with a lot of obstacles has largely been inclusive and participatory.
The AU Deputy Special Representative cautioned however that the election of the new President and the end of the transition period is not an end in itself but the beginning of a huge task which the people of Somalia must embark on to rebuild the country fs infrastructure which has been destroyed by more than two decades of fighting.
He said;  As a matter of priority, I have no doubt that the President Elect will give special attention to the rebuilding and strengthening of key government institutions and the Public Service in particular to allow for an improvement in the delivery of services to the people.AMISOM is ready to support the Somali government in this area. Honorable Wafula Wamunyinyi also emphasized the importance of the ongoing programme of rebuilding the Somali Security Forces (SNF) and reaffirmed AMISOM fs commitment to working with the new government in implementing the National Security Stabilization Plan.
Statement from SRSG Mahiga on the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President of Somalia
10 Sept – Source: UNPOS – 312 words
Today the Somali people have taken a great step forward on the path to peace and prosperity. Today, Somalia’s Parliamentarians—in a calm, dignified and contemplative manner—ended the transitional period decisively and selected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to serve as the next President of Somalia. The process was representative and Somali owned. Through two rounds of balloting and in a transparent manner in full view of the world, the process was peaceful, orderly and fundamentally democratic. Somalia has proved the doubters wrong and sent a powerful message of progress to all of Africa and indeed to the entire world.
The Path that has led us here has been long and arduous. A little more than a year ago the peace process was almost at a standstill. Institutional paralysis threatened to split the Transitional Federal Government in half. Since those difficult days the progress has been nothing less than breathtaking.
And tonight, the most significant democratic exercise for Somalia in four decades marks the culmination of that process as a New Somali Parliament, chosen by a National Constituent Assembly itself selected by a broad cross section of transitional elders elected Somalia’s new President to a four year term. The transition is over—Somalia must now focus on stabilization, reconciliation and building sustainable and accountable institutions of governance capable of providing services to its people.
We salute all candidates regardless of the outcome. I call on the winners to be magnanimous in victory, the losers to be gracious in defeat and for all to lead Somalia forward to a brighter day. All Somalis must now reconcile for the good of the nation at this remarkable moment in the country’s history.
There is still much to do, but all Somalis can be proud of this process. I offer my warmest congratulations. This is moment of hope and optimism, a new era for Somalia has begun.
U.S. congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on becoming Somalia’s new president
11 Sept – Source: Office of the Press Secretary – 208 words
The United States congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on winning the support of Parliament and becoming Somalia’s new president, and the Somali people for completing this momentous political transition. Today’s vote represents an important milestone for the people of Somalia, and a crucial step forward along the path of building a representative government.
With leadership comes tremendous responsibility. The United States calls on Somalia’s leaders to usher in a new era of governance that is responsive, representative, and accountable. We encourage President Hassan and all members of Parliament to be inclusive and collaborative, and to build on today’s vote by continuing to strengthen democratic institutions, improving stability and security, and bringing tangible improvements to the lives of Somalia’s citizens.
The United States stands with the people of Somalia during this historic moment, and will continue to be a committed partner moving forward. Today’s achievement would not have been possible without the contributions of the African Union, United Nations, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and regional stakeholders. While today’s vote marks the end of the transition period, much work remains to be done. The United States calls on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to Somalia, and to help realize a more secure and prosperous future for the Somali people.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali MPs elects a new president
11 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 154 words
Somalia’s parliamentarians elected yesterday Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a university lecturer as new president for the Horn of Africa country, the first vote of its kind in more than two decades. Mr. Mohamud’s election was held in a highly fortified police academy in Mogadishu and is a significant step forward for a country that has endured more than two decades of war and political instability.
Mr. Mohamud, who is from the town of Jalalaqsi in central Somalia, is a political neophyte but has long worked as a community activist for various nongovernmental organizations in Somalia, including the Center of Research and Dialogue (CRD), the International Peace Building Alliance and UNICEF.
IGAD congratulates Somalia’s newly elected president
11 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 148 words
Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, IGAD congratulated the newly elected president of the war-torn nation, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. Mohamoud defeated incumbent president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu where he garnered 190 votes out of the 269 votes cast while his rival Sharif Sheikh Ahmed got 79 votes.
IGAD secretariat statement on Mohamoud’s election quoted as follows: “Today was a momentous day for the people of Somalia as it elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. This election was notable for its mature and peaceful nature that resulted in the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud”.
“We extend our congratulations to the President and the people of Somalia and offer our assurances that IGAD will extend its utmost cooperation and support in assisting Somalia continue on the path to a peaceful and a prosperous future in line with Somalia’s aspirations and its Constitutional provisions”.
Journalists congratulate the election of Somalia’s new president, Hassan Sheikh
11 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb – 190 words
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) congratulated the newly elected president Somalia, his excellency Prof. Hassan Sheik Mohamoud on his election as the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The new president elect, his excellency Prof. Hassan Sheik Mohamoud is an academic, founder of SIMAD university and chairman of Peace and Development Party.
He is a civil society and political activist and it is believed that he will make changes in a country gearing up for full recovery after more than two decades of civil war, warlordism, sectarian violence, radicalism and violence against the media.
Puntland administration welcomes the election of president Hassan
11 Sept – Source: Radio Kulmiye/BBC Somali Service/Garowe Online – 160 words
The Puntland administration has welcomed the election of Hasan Sheikh Mohamoud as the new president of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Last night, Mr. Hasan defeated incumbent president Sharif in a hotly contested presidential election garnering 190 votes out of the 269 votes cast. Former president Sharif conceded defeat when he got only 79 votes out of the 269 votes cast in a second round competition.
Spokesman of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, Ahmed Omar Hirsi congratulated the new president and expressed his concern that Hassan can bring change to the war-torn nation since he is new to the political field.
Meanwhile, president of Hibin and Heb administration in Galgadud region, Mohamed Abdullahi Adan applauded the newly elected president of Somalia and termed him as a just leader who can bring Somalia out of the problems it is grappling with. Many Somalis in Nairobi and Kampala have also welcomed the election of Prof. Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud as the president of Somalia.
Somali diasporas welcome the newly elected president
10 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb – 126 words
The Somali community in Kenya has welcomed the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamed as the country’s new head of state in Mogadishu. RBC reports.
On Monday, Somalia’s parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamed as the country’s new president as he defeated his opponent President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu.
The Somali community in Kenya, especially those living in refugee camps, welcomed and congratulated the new president for his achievement as the new head of state in the Horn of Africa nation.
British PM statement on the election of new Somali president
11 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 128 words
British Prime Minister David Cameron has made the following statement after presidential elections in Mogadishu concluded: “This is a significant moment for Somalia, and an important step towards a renewed political process. I congratulate Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his victory and welcome the part played by outgoing president Sheikh Sharif to bring Somalia to this day.
“The coming months and years are critical for Somalia’s transition to democracy. Somalia’s leaders must now work together to build a more representative and transparent system, tackle corruption and strengthen security and stability.
“The London Conference on Somalia in February brought the international community together to support this process. Britain will continue to support Somalia’s people and leaders, so that Somalia can fulfill its potential as a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nation.”
REGIONAL MEDIA
US Command backs Sierra Leone’s Somali military mission
11 Sept – Source: Africa Review – 212 words
Just weeks before deploying to Somalia, the Sierra Leone military has played host to the commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Carter F. Ham, who sought to cheer up the Sierra Leone contingent to the war-torn country. The US has played a significant role in preparing the troops for deployment, spending over $14 million in training and equipment alone.
Sierra Leone is expected to deploy 850 troops to Somalia as part of the UN-funded Africa Union Mission in Somali (AMISOM) peacekeeping mission fighting the radical Islamist group Al-Shabaab. Gen Ham was on a two-day tour of Sierra Leone, the first since assuming the position in March last year. He had recently visited neighbouring Liberia where President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promised to co-operate closely with AFRICOM.
The Africom commander visited the troops at the Peacekeeping Mission Training Centre (PMTC), located a few miles outside Freetown, aand told them that their mission was a very important as they would be fighting for “democracy for the Somali people.”
Mr. President…Somalia’s suprise choice
11 Sept – Source: Africa Review – 169 words
Somali MPs late Monday chose academic Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud as the country’s new President, upsetting the pre-election favourite and turning a major page in the search for a peace that has proved elusive for two decades. It was a result that surprisingly ousted the old order, blamed for many of the ills afflicting the Horn of Africa country, including cronyism and rampant graft.
Prof Mohamoud decisively beat incumbent Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in the second and final round, polling 190 votes of the 271 cast. Sheikh Ahmed received 79 votes with two ballots spoilt and immediately conceded the vote, shaking hands with the victor.
“I thank the Somali people, government officials, the army and the peacekeepers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) for their collaboration during my tenure,” he said in a concession speech that suggested that Somalis were ready for a fresh start. The legislators were choosing the new leader after a number of obstacles including security concerns precluded the holding of a universal vote.
Qatar welcomes Somalia elections
11 Sept – Source: Gulf Times – 74 words
Qatar yesterday welcomed elections in the Republic of Somalia which resulted in the victory of Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud who has been chosen as the new president. A statement issued by the Emiri Diwan said that “while the State of Qatar welcomes the electoral process that was held in an atmosphere of fair competition, it hopes this process would be a step forward for achieving Somalia’s stability and promoting approach towards reconciliation and national unity”.
EU welcomes new democratic era in Somalia
10 Sept – Source: KUNA – 118 words
The European Union Monday congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on his election as the new President of Somalia. “Today is a significant day in the history of Somalia. Eight years on from the establishment of Transitional Federal Institutions, the transition has ended with the election of the President by the new Federal Parliament,” said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a statement here tonight.
“The EU welcomes the prospects this occasion brings to Somalia for lasting peace, prosperity and stability to the millions of people who have suffered from a protracted conflict over the years,” she noted. Ashton stressed that “the adoption of a new Provisional Constitution in particular marks the beginning of a new, democratic era in Somalia”.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia elects a political novice as its new president
11 Sept – Source: Washington Post – 145 words
Somalia’s Parliament elected a new president of the country’s fledgling government Monday, a move that members of the international community say is a key step toward the east African nation’s transition from a war-torn failed state to a nation with an effective government.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a political newcomer, won the election against outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed by the legislative vote of 190 to 79, according to Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari. Ahmed conceded defeat.
“I am happy to see the first free and fair election happen in Somalia after 40 years, “Ahmed said. “I want to congratulate the new president for the fair election, and I want to declare that I am fully satisfied with the results.” Mohamud thanked the new parliament for electing him as the nation’s leader and asked the Somali people to collaborate with him to restore the country.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“President Hassan has a combination, on the one hand, of being a Diaspora-type person in terms of education but, at the same time, having roots among the Somalis for the last 20 years, which most of us don’t have, and the new president’s next challenge would be to pick a new prime minister”.
Somali Analyst: New President Mandate to Move Forward
11 Sept – Source: VOA – 421 words
Somali writer and analyst Faysal Abdi Roble said Monday’s election of a little-known candidate as the next president of Somalia is a clear message that Somalis want to move forward from the days of corrupt and clan-dominated governments to a more effective leadership. Somalia’s parliament Monday elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud defeating incumbent leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a landslide.
Roble said the next challenge for the new president is to select a prime minister. He said Monday’s election was a mandate to show that Somalia is ready to move away from its past.
“I think it’s a strong mandate that the recently-seated Somali parliament sent to some of the politicians, who were involved in the election; that is, they wanted to divorce themselves and the country from the previous trend, which was accused of corruption and maladministration and disarticulation of the entire leadership. So, this was a mandate to show that they wanted a new vision, a new direction from the past,” he said.
“This is a step in the right direction, but Somalia’s problems are too big for a person to solve alone. They include piracy at sea, hundreds of thousands of refugees, terrorism and a lack of institutions.”
Somalia: The end of a failed state?
11 Sept- Source: The Africa Report – 460 words
What does Somalia’s first presidential election in 40 years mean to a nation seeking to filter itself from the shadows of a war-torn failed state? 



For observers, the answer begins with the implementation of an overwhelmingly free and fair election, respectably accepted by the outgoing president. “I am happy to see the first free and fair election happen in Somalia after 40 years.
“I want to congratulate the new president for the fair election, and I want to declare that I am fully satisfied with the results,” outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed told reporters on Monday.
The war-torn, failed state of Somalia, under Ahmed, had scored poorly in the eyes of parliament, the international community and Somalis. A report released in June by the United Nations accused Ahmed’s administration of protecting a notorious pirate leader and depositing only $3 of every $10 received into state coffers.
Top tweets
@citizentvkenya Somalia gets a new President after newcomer Hassan Sheikh Mahamud trounces incumbent Sheikh Ahmed Sharif.
@OCHASomalia Humanitarians deliever food and nutrition supplies by air to crisis-affected area under embargo in southern #Somalia http://bit.ly/QBKGYh .
@MohamedMascud Moderate political activist & academic took world’s most challenging political posts after #Somalia’s Parliament elected him president.
@UKinSomalia British Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement congratulating the new President of Somalia: http://tinyurl.com/chjv84u @HMAMattBaugh
@theafricareport Somalia: The end of a failed state? http://goo.gl/fb/DliKO
@UNPOSomalia #UN Envoy Mahiga congratulates #Somalis on election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as new #President, revised: http://bit.ly/QgH1L7@UN @UN_DPA
Image of the day
Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud waves at the podium after winning the election, in Mogadishu September 10, 2012. Somalia’s lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Monday for political newcomer Mohamud to be the country’s next president. Photo: Reuters/Omar Faruk.