Somali parliament approves new prime minister

Somali Parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved the appointment of Hassan Ali Khaire as the country's prime minister.

Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari said 231 members who attended the session endorsed Khaire who was appointed last week by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, widely known as Farmajo.

"All Parliament members here at the house of the people who were 231 members accepted president Farmajo's request to approve the new prime minister and they gave the vote of confidence. No one was silent or rejected. He has 30 days to name cabinet ministers," Osman said.

The constitution allows the Lower House of Parliament to debate and pass a vote on the new PM with a simple majority vote required to endorse the president's choice.

Khaire, who was present during the motion, lauded the lawmakers for having confidence in him.

"You trusted me to hold big responsibility that requires talent, transparent and honesty. I promise working with you closely with constant consultations," he told the legislators.

The PM vowed to tackle corruption blamed for under development in Somalia, by prosecuting individuals involved, regardless of their position.

"We will tackle the corruption and also prosecute individuals implicated in the vice regardless of his/her status in society," Ali said.

The new PM, who holds a dual Somali-Norwegian citizenship, has now 30 days to form his new cabinet that will be tasked with transforming the Horn of Africa nation amid security, drought and corruption challenges. Endit