Mogadishu, 2 December 2013 – UN Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Somalia Nicholas Kay paid tribute today to Somalia’s
outgoing Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, and noted the
responsible role played by the Federal Parliament and the Speaker Mohamed
Osman Jawari in handling the “no confidence” motion.
“It was important this unprecedented piece of parliamentary business was
managed in accordance with the provisional constitution and the rules of
procedure of the Parliament,” he said.
“Somalia’s institutions are coming of age. The UN is here to support their
development, and looks forward to working constructively with the new
administration. Outgoing Prime Minister Shirdon had worked hard to promote
growth and progress and played an important part in creating the New Deal
Compact between international partners and Somalia.”
SRSG Kay further noted the urgency of nominating and appointing a new
Prime Minister as quickly as possible to maintain political and
state-building progress in Somalia. “I hope the President will consult
widely before choosing. It is in all our interests that the next PM and
government is broadly inclusive, able to unite the country and capable of
delivering what Somalia needs – peace, rule of law, economic growth and
good public services.”
He also urged the Federal Parliament to make a supreme effort in the
public interest to make progress on the many law-making and other
constitutional tasks that the country urgently needs.
“Over the coming years, it is important that Parliament, Government and
the Presidency continue to work constructively together in full respect
for the Provisional Federal Constitution,” SRSG Kay noted.