Somalia Cabinet ministers sworn in

02 December 2004

Allan Kisia

The transitional federal government of Somalia is now complete after the swearing in of its first cabinet yesterday.

The cabinet of thirty-one ministers and the first in 16 years was sworn in at the Kenyatta International Conference in Nairobi.

Only 27 ministers took oath of office as four positions were vacant and are to be filled later.

"We will name the other four ministers after more consultations with various parties," Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said.

The Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Somali Mps, vice president Moody Awori, ambassador Bethwel Kiplagat and other local and foreign dignitaries witnessed the swearing in ceremony.

The new cabinet has three warlord; Asma Ali Ato, Sudi Mohamed and Shagdoud Osman. Conspicusly missing from theline upo is warlord Hussein Farah Aideed

Some of the ministries in the Somali Government include; Ministry of Reconciliation, Aviation, Petroleum and Oil and Militia Training, Defense, Commerce, Health, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Industries.

Prime minster Gedi said the next move by the Government would be to relocate back to their country.

Gedi expressed confidence that the new cabinet would help Somalia ressurect from ashes.

He spoke of the difficult in selecting the cabinet saying the prevailing situation in Somalia made it difficult.

"It was very difficult getting the right person and placing him in the right position," he said.

President Ahmed accepted the cabinet proposed by the Prim Minister Gedi and thanked him for his efforts for selecting the ministers.

Vice President Moody Awori expressed joy and hope for the Somali Government and assured them of continued support.

"The new cabinet should be able to return Somalia to its rightful place,"

He said success would be achieved if the ministers were united and worked collectively. This way, he added, the international community will be persuaded to give the much needed help and support.