The Secretary-General today called the new Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E. Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, to congratulate him on his recent appointment. The Secretary-General expressed the hope that the Prime Minster will move quickly to form an inclusive Government, with the full participation of women.  He called on the Somali leadership to work closely together to regain momentum in the political process, including the formation of federal states and a participatory constitutional review process. 

The Secretary-General also emphasized that recent gains by AMISOM and the Somali National Army against Al-Shabaab should be complemented by the delivery of basic services and the rule of law.  The Secretary-General reassured the Prime Minister of the full support of the United Nations in Somalia’s efforts towards peace, development and the full respect for human rights.