Somali leader urges Parliament to expedite approval of cabinet

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday called on Parliament to expedite the approval process of the newly nominated council of ministers in order to move the country forward towards the achievement of the development agenda.

The president said the task ahead was huge and only a concerted effort by government and parliament can deliver the country's Vision 2016, which, among others, outlines the road map for universal general elections.

"Cooperation and coordination among government institutions is critical in moving this country forward in our bid to realize the development plan in the remaining short time we have," he told a news conference in Mogadishu.

Mohamud said time was running out for Parliament and the cabinet, and asked the parliament to give an approval to the new cabinet.

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke on Thursday named a council of 66 cabinet ministers, deputies and state ministers after a gridlock with parliament over the composition of the new cabinet.

Sharmarke is the third prime minister to assume office since president Mohamud was elected in 2012. Two prime ministers have since then been dismissed by parliament in a no confidence vote.

The Horn of Africa nation will have to review the constitution, including important discussions on power and resource sharing, which need to be completed this year, with a Constitutional Referendum planned for early 2016.

Other key decisions and preparations for that exercise and for elections also had to be made. Of particular importance was establishment of the National Independent Electoral Commission and the Boundaries and Federation Commission. Endi