Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud named Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke prime minister after parliament removed the previous head of government because of a disagreement about cabinet appointments.
Sharmarke, the ambassador to the U.S., will replace Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Mohamoud said yesterday in Mogadishu, the capital. Parliament removed Ahmed from office on Dec. 6 after clashing with the president about a cabinet change.
“I will soon nominate a cabinet that will help the country realize its full potential,” Sharmarke said.
Sharmarke will take over Somalia’s 17th attempt to establish an effective central administration. The country, stuck in a civil war since 1991, has gained ground against al-Shabaab, militants linked to al-Qaeda. The government is using the success to try to lure investors for rebuilding the east African economy.
Sharmarke served as prime minister from 2009 to 2010, when he resigned saying political infighting was compromising the government’s ability to focus on fighting insecurity.
Bloomberg
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