International Community hails election of HirShabelle state president

UN chief in Somalia Michael Keating addressing a past session the UN Security Council. The IC said the HirShabelle state presidential election was conducted within the law. File Photo: UN News Centre

The international community has welcomed the election of HirShabelle president Mohamed Abdi Ware giving the electoral process a clean bill of health.

In a joint statement, the UN and other international partners in Somalia said the election was conducted in accordance with the legal framework and called on all parties to respect its outcome.

“Voting took place in an open and public process. International partners welcome the conducting of the elections in an orderly manner according to the applicable legal framework. They continue to urge all parties to respect the outcome of the voting in the regional assembly and refrain from any actions that could undermine the consolidation of the state-building process,” the statement read.

Separately, the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) chief Francisco Madeira praised Ware’s election and pledged support. “Congratulations to Mohamed Abdi Ware on his election as President of HirShabelle State. We at Amisom stand ready to work with this government,” Madeira said in a tweet.

Meanwhile former HirShabelle president Abdullahi Ali Osoble who was ousted in a no confidence motion dismissed the election claiming he is still the dully elected leader. The UN warned him last early this month against attempts to form Hiiraan state noting the move was illegal and violated the spirit and letter of federalization process in Somalia.

The new leader was sworn in Saturday immediately after election.