Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud officially takes office as the new president of Somalia

 After his second election a few days ago, Somali President-elect Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud (66 years) officially assumed his duties on Monday for a 4-year term.

The ceremony of handing over power was held in the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu, with the participation of government officials, as well as members of Parliament.

On May 16, the Somali parliament elected Sheikh Mahmoud for a second presidential term, as he had previously headed the country between September 2012 and February 16, 2017.

These elections came more than a year after the termination of the term of Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad, nicknamed Farmajo, in February 2021, and the failure of a successor to be elected.

The president-elect said during the ceremony: "Today is a great day for the Somali people, a day when I democratically take over my duties from my predecessor, former President Farmajo."