By Kemi Kasumu
Nigeria’s Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has congratulated the newly elected President of Somalia, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo.
The Acting President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant, Mr. Laolu Akande, copy of which was emailed to The DEFENDER on Sunday, also congratulated the people of Somalia on the successful conclusion of their electoral process, which he said was an important step in consolidating democracy and fully restoring law and order in the country.
Prof. Osinbajo affirmed that Nigeria remained committed to supporting the peace, security, stability and development in Somalia and “looks forward to working with President Farmajo on other key areas of shared interests and mutual concerns such as the fight against terrorism and security-sector reforms.”
Laolu stated further in the statement that, “In addition, the Acting President notes the successful efforts of the Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON) and their invaluable role in ensuring a safe and secure environment during the electoral process.”
Acting President Osinbajo, according to the statement, remarked that, “this successful election is a landmark achievement for the people of Somalia in particular and Africans in general.”
He observed that it was remarkable that the African continent was marching forward with democracy across all its frontiers. “This is a goal that we share with the people of Somalia,” he stated, wishing the new government a successful tenure that would usher in long-lasting stability and prosperity to the Somali people.
Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo Mohamed, who assumed office as President of Somalia, is a Somali diplomat, professor and politician, who is the 9th and current President of Somalia. He was previously Prime Minister of Somalia from November 2010 until June 2011 and is the founder and Chairman of the Tavo Political Party in the country on the platform of which he contested and emerged winner in the 2017 Somali Presidential election with the votes of 184 of the total 328 members of the Somali Parliament.
Farmajo will now lead the hitherto troubled nation officially known as the Federal Republic of Somalia expectedly to success.
Somalia, member of Arab nations, is located in the Horn of Africa lying along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
It is bounded by Djibouti in the Northwest, Ethiopia in the West and Kenya in the Southwest. In area Somalia, slightly smaller than Texas, has two chief rivers called the Shebelle and the Juba.
Ruled from the capital city of Mugadishu, Somalia has a population of about 10.5 million people by 2013 census with currencies including United States Dollar and Somali Shilling.
Its official languages are Somali and Arabic.
