State Secretary Johansen extends congratulations to new president of Somalia

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Raymond Johansen extends his congratulations to Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of  Somalia(ARS) on his election as President of the Republic of Somalia.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was today elected as Somalia’s President by the newly expanded Somali Parliament meeting in Djibouti, in which the former major opposition group, the ARS, is also included. State Secretary Johansen hails this election as an important step in the process of political reconciliation in Somalia, which was initiated by the Djibouti agreement in June last year.

At the same time, Mr Johansen stresses that there are still huge challenges ahead before stability and peace can be ensured in Somalia. He expresses the hope that this election will bring about a new climate of cooperation in Somalia, in which all groups and factions will join forces to create a better future for the Somali people, who have suffered so much during the many years of war and lawlessness.

Mr. Johansen states that special recognition should also be given to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Ambassador Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, for his relentless efforts to bring the Djibouti process forward. 

Norway has been actively supporting the reconciliation efforts in Somalia for many years, including the Djibouti process led by the UN Special Representative, to which Norway has already contributed USD 2 million. - We stand ready to provide further support to Somalia as it now hopefully embarks on a new and vital stage of its progress towards sustainable peace and reconciliation, Mr. Johansen said.