UN calls on Somali president to form inclusive cabinet

United Nation has called on Somalia’s newly elected president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to quickly form an inclusive cabinet.

Farmaajo defeated the immediate former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following two rounds of voting by lawmakers in the capital city’s heavily fortified airport.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the new government and federal member states should together tackle urgent national priorities immediately, including finalizing the constitution and establishing effective national security forces.

“The current humanitarian situation created by the drought and the imperative of averting a famine should, however, be at the top of the agenda,” Guterres said in a statement issued by his spokesman. “The United Nations stands ready to support the government in this regard.”

Meanwhile, the secretary-general also expressed his appreciation to international partners, including the African Union, the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and donor countries for their vital support to the electoral process and continuing humanitarian assistance.

Guterres praised former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and prime minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke both for their work and for allowing a smooth handover to the new president.

Somalia is expected to hold one-person, one-vote election in 2020.