Somali prime minister names new cabinet

Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has named a 20-member cabinet for the second time in two weeks following extensive consultation with the country's leadership.

"I'm confident in the composition of the council of ministers and in their individual and collective capabilities to deliver on the aspirations of the Somali people," Sharmarke said on Tuesday evening.

"The appointments made tonight are a clear manifestation in our relentless effort to defend public interest, offer a better alternative for the Somali people and firmly etch Somalia on the path of stability and progress," he added.

The list, which will be taken to parliament for approval, has three female ministers and deputy and state ministers will be named soon. The new government has 30 days to request the Parliament the vote of confidence.

Sharmarke called on the Members of Parliament to express and extend confidence in the cabinet as they take on the arduous task of implementing key legislative and policy priorities in line with Vision 2016.

The Somali government is tasked to deliver the country the planned vision of 2016 with the most important task ahead being holding national elections, referendum of draft constitution and formation federal states of the country.

Somali Parliament on Jan. 17 approved a two-week extension period requested by Sharmarke to form an inclusive government after the lawmakers rejected the list he had submitted for approval. Sharmarke dissolved his proposed list of cabinet ministers barely hours after it was set to face a confidence vote by the Parliament. Endi