Mogadishu — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, has welcomed the overwhelming endorsement by the Somali Federal Parliament of the Council of Ministers announced by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon on 4 November.

"This is another important milestone in the history of Somalia," SRSG Mahiga said, "the appointment of clean slate of just ten Ministers conclusively demonstrates the will of the Somali leadership to move away from the mindset of the past and bring about positive change.

I am particularly pleased with the historic appointments of two women to substantive high profile as Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Development and Social Services."

"I commend Prime Minister Shirdon and President Hassan Sheikh for their extensive consultations with a wide cross-section of Somali society inside and outside of the country that produced this inclusive Cabinet which bears all positive hallmarks of a potential good government. It was a remarkable exercise in confidence building.

The new Council of Ministers represents a broad spectrum of political shades and membership while taking clan balance, equality and representation into account. It also reflects the cultural and social realities of today's Somalia," said the SRSG.

"I congratulate all the new Ministers and wish them every success in the hard tasks that lie ahead. Dr. Mahiga said. "UNPOS will continue to work with our Somali partners to improve the Government's capacity, enhance political reconciliation, strengthen the security and judiciary sectors and to facilitate reconstruction, especially in the recently recovered areas in accordance with the President's six pillar policy."

"I also wish to commend the Members of the Somali Federal Parliament for debating the Cabinet's nominations and work programme in a transparent, democratic and open manner.