Daily Nation Editorial
October 19, 2012

With the confirmation of Mr Abdi Farah Shirdon as Somalia’s Prime Minister, the country’s government is now complete.

The only challenge remaining is for countries in the region to give it support it to make it effective.

It was encouraging that all the 215 MPs backed Mr Shirdon who is now expected to pick his Cabinet.

The endorsement gives hope that Somalia has opened a new chapter in governance, unlike in the past when the transitional authority was riven by acrimony and infighting.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has already outlined his vision for the country, and it is now upon the Inter-Government Authority on Development (Igad) member countries to ensure the new government works.

Kenya should take the lead by initiating diplomatic lobbying for greater support to the government, because only an effective administration can ensure the Kenya Defence Forces make a quick exit.

The assurance by President Kibaki that the KDF will stay until normalcy returns to Kismayu and Somalia as a whole is welcome.

But only the Somalis themselves can create a real nation out of the disparate entities and forces that ruined it.

Source: Daily Nation

Copyright © 2012 WardheerNews.com