Noticias

Why is there so much excitement around the former prime minister's surprise appointment as Somalia's new president?

On 8 February, the protracted Somalia elections finally came to an end to widespread celebrations and surprise as Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo was appointed as the new president.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s victory prompts celebrations and the hope that he can get to grips with Somalia’s multiple challenges

Celebrations have erupted on the streets of Somalia after parliamentarians elected a new president, with crowds chanting songs and firing automatic weapons into the night sky.

The election of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, a 55-year-old former prime minister and dual US-Somali national with a reputation for independence and competence, has raised the hopes of millions of people in the poor and violent east African state.

L’ex primo ministro Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo è stato eletto presidente della Somalia. I candidati erano una ventina e tra loro c’era anche il presidente uscente Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, che ha riconosciuto la vittoria del rivale al secondo turno, rinunciando al ballottaggio. I parlamentari somali hanno votato all´aeroporto di Mogadiscio, ritenuto il luogo più sicuro della città. Martedì 7 febbraio la capitale somala era stata colpita da diversi attacchi organizzati dai militanti di Al Shabaab

Source: http://www.internazionale.it/

Mogadishu and surrounding areas are on lockdown after increase in al-Shabab attacks in lead-up to election.

Somalia's capital is on lockdown a day before the parliament meets to elect a new president, with ongoing security concerns and warnings of famine expected to top the agenda for the incoming administration. 

Roads in Mogadishu were closed, businesses asked to shut, and schools and universities gave students a two-day break.

The Somalia presidential electoral committee has cleared 24 candidates to vie for the top seat.

The committee, composed of members of the Lower and Upper houses, also announced that the election will take place in Mogadishu on February 8.

The candidates include incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, former transitional president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former transitional PM Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

MOGADISHU - Upper House elections for Somaliland and northern regions commenced today in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Six seats out of eleven, allocated for Somaliland and the northern regions were filled in a daylong exercise presided over by the Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT).

Massive cases of corruption and voter intimidation have marred the ongoing parliamentary elections in Somalia, the auditor general has told the BBC.

Somalia's ongoing parliamentary elections have no credibility becauses of vote buying, fraud, intimidation and violence, the country's auditor general said in an exclusive interview with VOA Somali.

Nur Jimale Farah said Electoral College delegates, who are electing members of parliament, are voting for the highest bidder.

"Some votes were bought with $5,000, some with $10,000, and some with $20,000 or $30,000. But not all seats are equal. Some are influential seats and have a lot of candidates competing for them," he said.