SOMALIA / PRESIDENT FARMAJO

Former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo." was elected as the new President of Somalia this week after his incumbent rival conceded the election. UNSOM

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:50
• Production Date: 10 February 2017
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SOMALIA - UNSOM
• Subject Topical: ELECTIONS; POLITICAL AFFAIRS
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: 1829432
• Parent Id: 1829432
• Alternate Title: unifeed170210b

Description

STORY: SOMALIA / PRESIDENT FARMAJO
TRT: 02:50
SOURCE: UNSOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SOMALI / NATS

DATELINE: 8 FEBRUARY 2017, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

Shotlist

8 FEBRUARY 2017, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

1. Wide shot, members of parliament registering before voting
2. Med shot, election officials displaying empty ballot box before voting begins
3. Med shot, members of parliament registering before voting
4. Various shots, members of parliament casting their votes
5. Various shots, election officials counting votes
6. Close up, vote tallying on paper
7. Med shot, President-elect Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo being sworn in
8. Wide shot, legislators and guests in attendance
9. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, outgoing President, Somalia:
“I urge the people of Somalia both in the country and in the diaspora to support the new president and work very closely with him to enable him to discharge his duties and develop the country. I also want to congratulate the new president and wish him well.”
10. Wide shot, legislators and guests in attendance
11. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, President, Somalia:
“This is the beginning of the unity of the Somali people. It marks the beginning of a secure and stable Somalia as a country and it is the beginning of democracy in Somalia and the fight against corruption. I promise not to abuse your trust, to work justly, and to support the poor.”
12. Wide shot, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Somali officials hold and raise hands in celebration

Storyline

Former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was elected as the new President of Somalia this week after his incumbent rival conceded the election.

Farmajo was declared the President after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded to him despite both candidates falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to be declared President. The contest proceeded to a second round after none of the 21 registered candidates received a two-thirds majority of the votes in the first round. Farmaajo had garnered 184 votes to President Mohamud’s 97 votes, while former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed finished third with 46 votes.

In his concession speech, outgoing President Mohamud urged the people of Somalia to remain united and rally behind their new federal president for the betterment of the country.

For his part, President Farmajo pledged to be a just and fair chief of state. He described his victory as a reflection of the aspirations of the people and marked a turning point in the history of the country. He promised “not to abuse” the trust of the Somali people.

A total of 328 legislators took part in the voting process which was held at a Somali Air Force hangar at Mogadishu’s international airport under tight security by AMISOM troops and Somali security forces.

The election of Farmaajo as president brings to an end an electoral process that commenced in October last year with the election of members of the federal parliament’s Upper House.