Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a U.S.-educated former prime minister, was sworn in as Somalia’s new president on Wednesday after lawmakers gave him an unassailable lead in the second round of an election in Mogadishu’s secure airport compound.
Celebratory gunfire erupted across the city at his victory. Outgoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded defeat as it became clear he could not win a third round.
“This is a victory for Somalia and the Somalis,” Farmajo told lawmakers who had gathered in a hall behind the airport’s blast walls to vote. He was sworn in moments earlier.
The one-time prime minister under former president Ahmed, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, entered the race after failing to win the election in 2012 despite his popularity.
He served as a prime minister for less than a year before he was forced to resign under a deal supported by the population who protested when he refused initially.
New President of the Federal Republic of #Somalia being sworn in at the moment. Follow live here: https://t.co/GcRU6PcKEH #Doorashada pic.twitter.com/nMa3bLEVmX
— UNSOM (@UNSomalia) February 8, 2017
Source: Reuters and Africanews
