Somalia: Highlights on inauguration ceremony

Raxanreeb (Mogadishu) The inauguration ceremony for Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was an epochal event. Raxanreeb correspondent at the Police Academy, where the ceremony was held, has summed up key moments of the ceremony:

Ethiopian prime minister Ato Hailemariam Desalegn congratulated Somali president for his new job, praised Sheikh Sharif for accepting the result of the election, and urged the new president not to squander the new opportunity as Somalia now has a non-transitional government. He said he wished the late Ethiopian visionary leader, Meles Zenawi was at the ceremony to witness the leadership change in Somalia.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Geelle reminded people that the former president Sharif Ahmed assumed presidential responsibility at a difficult time and that he did his best to serve his people. He reiterated Djibouti’s continued support for Somalia.

The Arab League Representative, Samir Husni, noted the work of prime minister Abdiweli for ensuring the road-map led to positive outcomes and praised former president for his work on which the new president will build.

The Turkish deputy minister said his government would continue its support for Somali government.

The Somali prime minister Dr Abdiweli Ali recounted the process of ending the transition and thanked AMISOM and Somalia’s neighbouring countries for helping Somalia’s armed forces liberate areas under Al Shaba

Former president Sharif Ahmed said: ” Some people told me to advise the president. I and my team had our time to rule, the president should not be inundated with advice; let him use his new ideas for nation-building”

Overall, the atmosphere at the Police Academy was uplifting. AMISOM made commendable efforts to ensure security arrangement at the ceremony was the best that one could offer.

Raxanreeb