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Vol 53 No 19

Published 21st September 2012


Somalia

New president, new laws and old enemies

The election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seen as a sign of stability but the new government’s foundations are far from strong. Meanwhile, Kenya’s military policy is worrying other members of the Amisom alliance. The election process was marred by vote-buying but Western commentators welcomed the outcome, often warmly. However, Ethiopia has concerns about the Islamist background of the new leader

Somalis welcomed the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, an outsider with a better reputation than his predecessor, as the first critical test of the new constitution. The election by Parliament concludes a painful political process, the famous road map, ending the transition and changing the faces of the ruling team. President Hassan is from the Waisle sub-group of the Abgal, who are part of one of the most important clan groups, the Hawiye, in a country where clan really counts.

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