The United Nations in Somalia welcomed the conclusion of the nation’s presidential election held on Sunday, praising the “optimistic” nature of the electoral course of and peaceable switch of energy.
“I want to congratulate the newly-elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his victory tonight”, mentioned the UN Secretary-Common’s Particular Consultant for Somalia, James Swan, within the early hours of Monday morning.
He additionally expressed “our appreciation to the opposite candidates, and significantly outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmaajo,’ for respecting the end result and for persevering with the Somali custom of embracing whoever wins and supporting them going ahead – the ambiance tonight, I feel, was very optimistic”.
The highest UN official in Somalia was talking on the conclusion of the election, on the venue in Mogadishu identified regionally because the “hangar,” situated close to the Aden Adde Worldwide Airport, the place he and different representatives of Somalia’s worldwide companions had been invited.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud gained workplace on the third spherical of voting by the nation’s parliamentarians, after some twelve hours of voting and counting. There had been near 40 candidates standing for the workplace.
‘Tough moments’
The UN Particular Consultant flagged that the electoral course of had been a protracted one, in addition to actively aggressive – and that specializing in home and state-building priorities ought to now turn into the main target of consideration.
“There have been some tough moments on this prolonged election. Nonetheless, I consider that tonight’s course of demonstrated that it was a real horse race, that it was a aggressive election, and that there was a chance for all the candidates to contest pretty, and, so I feel this is a chance now to display that the end result is credible,” Mr. Swan mentioned.
Time to ‘come collectively’
“Now it is time for Somalis and for Somalia’s buddies to come back collectively to help the brand new authorities as it’s put in, and to work on the vital nationwide priorities that also face Somalia,” he added. “There’s a lot work to be accomplished, and we stay up for being Somalia’s companions going ahead.”
Mr. Swan additionally famous that among the nation’s vital priorities embody ending the constitutional assessment course of, addressing pressing wants for improved improvement, safety and the present drought.
In a tweet in a while Monday, the UN in Somalia additionally praised Somalia’s parliamentary Audio system and Deputy Audio system, the presidential election organizing committee {and professional} parliamentary employees, in addition to Somali safety forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, for making certain the orderly, peaceable, and safe electoral course of.
