Somalia gets new Prime Minister

MOGADISHU – President Abdullahi Yusuf named a new prime minister yesterday, ending weeks of speculation and political uncertainty in Somalia, where the government faces an insurgency in the capital.

Nur Hassan Hussein, the head of the Somali Red Crescent Society, was chosen to replace the former premier, Ali Mohamed Gedi, who stepped down last month amid disagreements with the president over their roles and powers in government. Yusuf said he had chosen Hussein, known as Nur Ade, “after lengthy consultations.””We expect him to build an effective government, which will be able to save the country from the current hardship,” Yusuf said in Baidoa, 250 kilometres southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.The transitional parliament, where most legislators are allied to Yusuf, was expected to approve Hussein’s appointment.Hussein joins Yusuf’s transitional government midway through its five-year term that began in October 2004, after being formed according to a clan-based formula negotiated by clan elders, warlords and other representatives of Somali society.Hussein is a member of one of Somalia’s largest clans, the Hawiye, as is his predecessor, and his appointment maintains the power balance between clans.The prime minister’s post, however, is subordinate to that of the president.”I will try my best to surmount problems plaguing the country within less than two years,” Hussein said in a brief acceptance speech broadcast live on local radio stations.”I will give priority to security and reconciliation issues and facilitating humanitarian assistance.”Born in 1938 in Mogadishu, Hussein has watched the country descend into chaos since 1991, when rival warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other.For close to three decades, he has worked with the Somali Red Crescent Society, joining in 1976 and becoming secretary general in 1990.Hussein was a security adviser during the early years of Barre’s 22-year rule.He also worked for a time as a deputy prosecutor in the National Salvation Court, which later became infamous as Barre used it to pass harsh sentences against his opponents.Nampa-APYusuf said he had chosen Hussein, known as Nur Ade, “after lengthy consultations.””We expect him to build an effective government, which will be able to save the country from the current hardship,” Yusuf said in Baidoa, 250 kilometres southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.The transitional parliament, where most legislators are allied to Yusuf, was expected to approve Hussein’s appointment.Hussein joins Yusuf’s transitional government midway through its five-year term that began in October 2004, after being formed according to a clan-based formula negotiated by clan elders, warlords and other representatives of Somali society.Hussein is a member of one of Somalia’s largest clans, the Hawiye, as is his predecessor, and his appointment maintains the power balance between clans.The prime minister’s post, however, is subordinate to that of the president.”I will try my best to surmount problems plaguing the country within less than two years,” Hussein said in a brief acceptance speech broadcast live on local radio stations.”I will give priority to security and reconciliation issues and facilitating humanitarian assistance.”Born in 1938 in Mogadishu, Hussein has watched the country descend into chaos since 1991, when rival warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other.For close to three decades, he has worked with the Somali Red Crescent Society, joining in 1976 and becoming secretary general in 1990.Hussein was a security adviser during the early years of Barre’s 22-year rule.He also worked for a time as a deputy prosecutor in the National Salvation Court, which later became infamous as Barre used it to pass harsh sentences against his opponents.Nampa-AP