Friday, January 23, 2009 - 03:25 AM
Former Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh, has announced today that he is a candidate for the upcoming Somali presidential election, soon to be held in Djibouti.
Dr. Galaydh who has a Ph. D in public administration was a Fellow at Harvard University during the 1980s and taught at Syracuse University and most recently at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
"The restoration of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Somalia is within our reach" Dr. Galaydh said in a statement adding that as a Professor of Public Policy and as a former Senior Civil Servant, Minister, and Prime Minister, "I have the requisite experience and expertise," to take part in serving our troubled country.
Speaking of his vision, the former Prime Minister stated that Somalia, " has been engaged in unnecessary bloodletting for far too long and the time has come for Somalis to end the cycle of violence, and to get on with the arduous task of national reconciliation and peace." Dr. Galaydh is determined to focus on the designing and implementation of peace plans.
Professor Galaydh further noted that he is confident that he is a leader who understands the complexities of peaceful dialogue, national reconciliation, and forging ahead with an urgent agenda of reconstruction and development. He is also fully cognizant of addressing the issues of regional peace, good neighborliness and cooperation. Dr. Galaydh said, “in a globalized world, it's imperative that Somalia should return to the community of nations and to work responsibly for international peace, security, and shared prosperity.”
The academic turned politician stated that his vision for Somalia is one where the brightest and the most progressive Somalis take charge of the leadership of the nation. " By declaring my candidacy for the presidency of Somalia," Dr. Galaydh said, "I am pledging to empower the talented Somalis inside and outside of the country so that we can pull ourselves out of the crippling quagmire."
Dr. Galaydh promises to make a concerted effort to seek the support of all Somalis who are genuinely committed to peace, justice, and development. He is also committed to the formation and the sustaining of a representative government which is for all Somalis.
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