Somali president appoints new prime minister
Dec 12, 2013, 6:17 PM
MOGADISHU (AP) – Somalia’s president has appointed a new prime minister, an economist who has worked for the World Bank and the United States government aid agency.
Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed was named as prime minister on Thursday.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said he appointed Ahmed because of his “extremely impressive” economics and development background, which could help Somalia escape its ranking as one of the world’s most corrupt nations.
The appointment comes after the Somalia’s parliament voted out Abdi Farah Shirdon, who had a falling out with the president. Ahmed will have to be endorsed by parliament before taking office.
Ahmed has held posts with the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Union and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He previously held a Somali government post in the 1980s.
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