Somali-American Is Named Prime Minister of Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali president on Thursday named a Somali-American to succeed the prime minister whose resignation last month brought the weak transitional government to a standstill.

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Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Newly appointed Prime Minister for Somalia Mohamed Abdulahi attends a briefing at the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

“After long consultations and prayers,” President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed said at a news conference in Mogadishu, “we have succeeded in nominating the right and proper person.”
“I hope,” President Sharif said, “that he will succeed in the difficult task ahead.”
The previous prime minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, resigned Sept. 21 after months of intense pressure from the president. Disputes between the two siphoned focus from the government even as Islamist militants increased their attacks. Read More