The Secretary-General welcomes the inauguration of the New Federal
Parliament of Somalia today in Mogadishu. He congratulates the people of
Somalia on reaching this watershed moment on their road to peace, stability
and political transformation.

The Secretary-General commends the courage and tenacity of the Technical
Selection Committee and Somalia’s Traditional Elders, who have worked
steadfastly, in the face of immense pressure, to select and approve a new
Parliament that is credible and representative of the national character of
Somalia. He urges them to complete the nomination and vetting of remaining
candidates, to ensure that the full complement of the new Parliament is
able to sit within a few days.

The Secretary-General calls on the parliamentarians to discharge their new
responsibilities with courage and integrity, in the interests of all
Somalis. He encourages them to complete urgently preparations to elect a
Speaker, Deputy Speaker and President for the New Federal Republic of
Somalia, so that the transition can be ended in line with the Djibouti
Agreement, the Kampala Accord, and the Garowe Principles.

The Secretary-General urges all actors to ensure that the final steps to
end the transition are completed promptly, peacefully, and in an
environment free from intimidation. The Somali people have waited twenty
years for peace to take root in their country. Now is the time to begin a
new chapter in their history.