Last week Somalia’s members of parliament made a surprise choice of their country’s new president. Instead of picking one of the favoured candidates, they chose a university professor, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. Sheikh Ahmed, the incumbent, was soundly defeated in the end, bringing to a close the term of his leadership, which has been beset by allegations of corruption, mismanagement and cronyism.
Professor Mohamoud’s election is seen as a big step forward in the rehabilitation of Somalia. He was one of the founders and dean of SIMAD University in Mogadishu in the 1990s, and has been a civil society activist, part of the Centre for Research and Dialogue, and leader of the Peace and Development Party, as well as co-founder of another political group called The National Partnership for Change.
Professor Mohamoud has stated that his priorities will be peace, human rights and civil liberties. He faces many grave challenges including the ongoing war in the country between al Shabaab forces and the coalition of Somali and Amisom forces. There are plenty of warlords still holding significant power, and corruption is a significant and ongoing problem. The world looks on hopefully.