The United States Saturday congratulated
moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his election as Somalia's new
president and urged him to reach out to other Somalis "who reject
violence" in forming a new government, dpa
reported.
In a statement issued by the US embassy in Nairobi and released in Washington,
the United States noted that Sheikh Sharif was a strong proponent of
international mediation and "has worked diligently on reconciliation
efforts in Somalia."
"We encourage all Somalis to support the president and his government and
urge members of the Somali leadership to concentrate on security and good
governance in this transitional period," officials said in their statement.
The US vowed support for Sheikh Sharif's efforts to "establish democracy
and achieve peace in Somalia."
Sheikh Sharif was sworn in as president on Saturday just hours after his
election during an all-night parliamentary session held in neighbouring Djibouti.
Observers said they believe Sheikh Sharif is the best candidate to unite
warring Islamic factions in the Horn of Africa country, which has been plagued
by chaos since the 1991 ouster of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Sheikh Sharif, 44, took the oath of office in time to fly to the Ethiopian
capital, Addis Ababa, for an African Union summit.
Local media reported that many Somalis stayed up all night to hear the result,
and when it became clear that Sheikh Sharif would win, fired celebratory shots
in the air in Mogadishu.
Sheikh Sharif received 293 votes out of 420 ballots cast with Barre's son
Maslah Mohamed Siad receiving 126 votes.