September 12, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: Somalia’s new president profiled
11 Sept – Source: BBC – 132 words
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s dogged determination not to give up on Somalia despite years of conflict, warlordism, piracy and Islamist insurgency has finally paid off. The peace activist and educational campaigner remained in Somalia throughout the 21-year civil war unlike many other Somali intellectuals. He defeated former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a run-off with a convincing majority of Somali MPs. Both men hail from the Hawiye clan – one of the country’s main groups based in the capital, Mogadishu. But, unlike his predecessor, clan – which influences all walks of life in Somalia – was not the driving force behind Mr Mohamud’s victory.
Key Headlines
- The African Union welcomes the successful presidential election in Somalia (AMISOM)
- “The day after” – by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia Peter de Clercq (UNPOS)
- Somalia’s new president pledges to bring change (Radio Risaala)
- Welcoming demonstrations held for new Somali president (Bar-Kulan)
- Optimistic Somalia President sets agenda for rebuilding new state (The Standard)
- ‘Little known about Somalia’s new leader’ (AFP)
PRESS RELEASE
The African Union welcomes the successful presidential election in Somalia
11 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 365 words
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, welcomes the successful completion of the presidential election in Somalia, which was held in a transparent and fair manner. He congratulates Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as the new President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He also commends the outgoing President, Sheikh Shariff Ahmed, for having gracefully conceded defeat and for his significant contribution to the peace and reconciliation process in his country.
The Chairperson of the Commission notes that yesterday’s election, following the adoption of a new interim Constitution and the selection of a new Parliament, marks the conclusion of the transition. It therefore ushered in a new chapter in the history of Somalia.
While commending all the Somali stakeholders and people for the maturity and commitment they have displayed over the past few weeks to complete the transition, in difficult circumstances, he urges them to remain steadfast and to continue to be driven by the higher interests of their country, in order to overcome the many challenges that lie ahead.
He calls on them to build on the significant results thus achieved and the progress that continues to be
made on the ground by the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali forces to further the peace and reconciliation process. The Chairperson of the Commission wishes to assure the Somali stakeholders and people of the AU’s continued support in their efforts. In particular, the AU, through AMISOM, will continue to work towards the improvement of the security situation and the extension of State authority, the building of strong and effective Somali security forces and the reconstruction of the country.
He acknowledges the critical role that the region, in particular IGAD and the East African Community, and the rest of the international community, notably the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States, as well as the United States and other bilateral partners, have played in the results achieved so far. He calls on the AU member states and partners alike to remain actively egaged and to enhance their assistance to Somalia to enable it meet the even more demanding and complex tasks ahead.
“The day after” – by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Peter de Clercq
11 Sept – Source: UNPOS – 274 words
This morning, SRSG Mahiga and I met with the new President of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. I had the good fortune, on election day, to meet with all the Presidential Candidates and he certainly stood out. He came across as a highly modest but determined man, and that image was reinforced when we met again today.
He has a firm grasp of the issues confronting him, but he seems undaunted by the challenges. He stressed the need to ensure the cohesion of the security forces at this critical juncture and interestingly, he highlighted the need to focus on the basic issues that impact the day-to-day lives of Somalis—the practical matters that put food on their plates and basic services in their lives.
President Hassan Sheikh considers this important at this early stage rather than embarking on the immediate on large-scale and complex development programmes. He also stressed the importance of replacing the prevalent clan dynamics by true national and forward-looking politics. The fact that his vision is derived from a political party programme, rather than clan support, is also a positive sign of progress and hope.
Yesterday was a day of change. We are all filled with the hope that, finally, we have crossed a point of no return. That we are moving away from corruption, clan-based violence and opaque political machinations. That we are moving towards accountability and transparency. The new man in the high seat has a vision of a new Somalia and symbolizes the best chance we have had for two generations to put the country back on track. I am proud to be a part of this process.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia’s new president pledges to bring change
11 Sept- Source: Radio Risaala- 139 words
The newly elected Somali president, Professor Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud has pledged to bring change and put an end to the endless suffering the Somali people have endured in the past 22 years.
In his speech after being sworn in as the president of the Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud hailed the elections as historic and a turning point for Somalia. He described Sheikh Sharif, the former president, as a friend and congratulated him for making it possible for elections to be held in Somali soil for the first time in 42 years.
Welcoming demonstrations held for new Somali president
11 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 96 words
Welcoming demonstrations have been held for the newly elected president of the federal republic of Somalia in many regions regions of the war-torn nation. The demonstrations have been staged in Galgadud, Mudug and Hiiraan regions to show support for the incoming president of Somalia. Residents of Dusamareb, Gurieyl, Herale, Abudwaq and Adaado districts have come out in large numbers chanting slogans in support of the new president of Somalia.
President Silanyo sends a congratulatory message to the newly elected president of Somalia
11 Sept – Source: Somaliland Press – 117 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) sent a cable to the newly elected President H.E.Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud congratulating for his victory. The statement which was released today by the official Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Ahmed Saleban Dhuxul read as follows: “On my own behalf and the people of Somaliland, I hereby congratulate the newly elected president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud who received a four years mandate from majority of votes in parliament’.
Statement by Italian Minister Of Foreign Affairs on the new president of the Somali Republic
11 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 133words
The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giulio Terzi, has learned with “deep satisfaction” about the appointment of Sheikh Hassan Mohamud as President of the Republic of Somalia. It is, according to the Minister, an “important step, done with a sense of responsibility and respect for the rules by the new Somali Parliament, which finally completed the transition and opened a new political phase for Somalia”.
Political elites, groups and authorities endorse Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
11 Sept- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 82 words
Somali politicians, civil society groups, regional states and other authorities are congratulating the newly elected president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his achievement in Somali’s first landmark election.
The president of Somali’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdirahman Faroole, Somaliland politicians and other Somali political elites are among those who have congratulated the new president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
REGIONAL MEDIA
East Africa welcomes election of new Somali president
12 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 250 words
President Kibaki and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete yesterday welcomed the election of Mr Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud as the new president of Somalia. President Kibaki said Somalia now had a real chance at peace and prosperity after many years of conflict.
Optimistic Somalia President sets agenda for rebuilding new state
11 Jul- Source: Standard- 604 words
A former university lecturer and founder of Peace and Development Party, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud was on Monday elected President of Somalia in a historic poll at General Kahiye Police Academy. The Standard Reporter Vitalis Kimutai interviewed the President in Mogadishu. Here are the excerpts.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: Somalia’s new president profiled
11 Sept – Source: BBC – 132 words
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s dogged determination not to give up on Somalia despite years of conflict, warlordism, piracy and Islamist insurgency has finally paid off. The peace activist and educational campaigner remained in Somalia throughout the 21-year civil war unlike many other Somali intellectuals. He defeated former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a run-off with a convincing majority of Somali MPs. Both men hail from the Hawiye clan – one of the country’s main groups based in the capital, Mogadishu. But, unlike his predecessor, clan – which influences all walks of life in Somalia – was not the driving force behind Mr Mohamud’s victory. Analysts say it is the fact that the academic had not dirtied himself with politics or clan conflicts that set him out from the rest.
‘Little known about Somalia’s new leader’
11 Sept – Source: News 24/AFP – 119 words
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a 56-year-old university lecturer chosen by lawmakers on Monday as Somalia’s new president, is something of an unknown quantity. “We don’t know much about him at all,” a western diplomat told AFP as voting in the presidential poll drew to a close. “He comes from Somali civil society and he has links to Al Islah, the equivalent of the Muslim brotherhood. It’s only in the past two days that we’ve been hearing a lot about him,” the diplomat said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Two of the most difficult challenges for Mr Mohamud are the large parts of southern and central Somalia controlled by al-Shabab, and the north-western territory of Somaliland which declared itself independent in 1991, and to all intents and purposes functions as a completely separate country”.
Will President Mohamud be able to tame Somalia?
11 Sept – Source: BBC – 833 words
Once the excitement, and perhaps surprise, of being elected president wears off, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud could be forgiven for feeling slightly ill at the prospect of governing Somalia. After all, the country has for the past five years come top of the list of the world’s failed states.
The fact that Mr Mohamud is a relative newcomer to politics – he only set up his Peace and Development Party in 2010 – is both a strength and a weakness.
It means that he is not associated with the violence and corruption of the past.
He is seen by many as a breath of fresh air, not just for the complex, double-dealing world of Somali politics, but for the country as a whole.
Somalia election bigger than its result
11 Sept – Source: al Jazeera – 350 words
Somalia is the kind of place that makes outsiders cynical. The capital, Mogadishu, is a rubble-strewn wreck of a city, which occasionally reveals glimpses of the grand coastal trading town it must once have been.