parliament endorses downsized Cabinet in victory for new PM

[KingBlack]

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) – In a sign Somalia's government may be willing to move away from its corrupt past, the parliament on Tuesday approved a smaller, 10-member Cabinet in a vote that serves as an important victory for the country's new prime minister.

Parliamentary speaker Mohmed Sheik Osman Jawari said 219 parliamentarians endorsed the Cabinet in a vote Tuesday. Three voted against and three abstained. The Cabinet, formed by Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, is expected to be sworn in next week.

The naming of the smaller Cabinet is the latest change undergone by the government this year. A new interim constitution has been passed, a new parliament was seated and a new president was voted in. The U.N. representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, hailed the naming of two women ministers: the minister of foreign affairs, who also serves as deputy prime minister, and the minister of development and social services.

"This is another important milestone in the history of Somalia," Mahiga said. "The appointment of clean slate of just 10 ministers conclusively demonstrates the will of the Somali leadership to move away from the mindset of the past and bring about positive change."

Mahiga added: "The new council of ministers represents a broad spectrum of political shades and membership while taking clan balance, equality and representation into account. It also reflects the cultural and social realities of today's Somalia."

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the limited size of the Cabinet will help the government implement key priorities. Past Somali governments have been bloated with huge numbers of ministries designed to appease certain clans.

The new Cabinet must continue the rebuilding of the country after years of warfare with al-Shabab militants, who continue to unleash suicide attacks in Mogadishu.

"What we want is security for ourselves and property from al-Shabab and the unruly soldiers. Then we can talk about developments," Ali Abdullahi, a Mogadishu resident said.

Somalia fell into anarchy in 1991 and hasn't had a fully functioning government since. But life has improved remarkably in Mogadishu over the last year, fueling hopes that the new government will expand and become a reliable provider of security and services.

Source: AP

[sahal80]

Mashallah only 6 did not vote, it shows how the somali parliament has changed.

[KingBlack]

Mashallah only 6 did not vote, it shows how the somali parliament has changed.

who pays da MPs salary

[The_Emperior5]

over 50 Mp are missing and they didnt show up i wonder why

[KingBlack]

over 50 Mp are missing and they didnt show up i wonder why

somalia is a nation of 7 million ppl and thy have 275 mps wtf!

[AbdiWahab252]

Any MP who opposes the HAG will be dealt with. Goofka wax leh HAG

[The_Emperior5]

over 50 Mp are missing and they didnt show up i wonder why

somalia is a nation of 7 million ppl and thy have 275 mps wtf!

welcome to the world of 4.5

[The_Emperior5]

Any MP who opposes the HAG will be dealt with. Goofka wax leh HAG

Abdiwahaab jooji dad ba run moodi doonaa

[sahal80]

Mashallah only 6 did not vote, it shows how the somali parliament has changed.

who pays da MPs salary

they got paid their wages. Norway.

[Nomand]

over 50 Mp are missing and they didnt show up i wonder why

somalia is a nation of 7 million ppl and thy have 275 mps wtf!

welcome to the world of 4.5

somaliland has 24 ministers.

while somalia has 10.

[sahal80]

Any MP who opposes the HAG will be dealt with. Goofka wax leh HAG

Abdiwahaab jooji dad ba run moodi doonaa

He is againist the government.

[The_Emperior5]

Yeah so we don't have a parliament of 275 members big deal many European countries have more than 20 ministers

[AbdiWahab252]

Emperior,

Dowlada wa dowlad HAG. Ninki mucaraad noqodo wa inu goof HAG joogiin hadi kale

[BlackRain]

Emperior,

Dowlada wa dowlad HAG. Ninki mucaraad noqodo wa inu goof HAG joogiin hadi kale

So HAG now means Habar Gedir Action Gorilla?

[Nomand]

but 275 MP with 10 minister is better then having 24 ministers and 98 MP

a larger house is good as it will represent everyone. but ministers should be there to do a job not give every reer a position.

24 ministers is way to much.