Mogadishu, 06 October 2012 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, congratulates Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon "Saacid" on his nomination for the post of Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Somali government forces with the support of troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) moved into the Kismayo seaport and airport on Monday 1st of October in a move to secure the former stronghold of Al-Shabaab.

The new Somali Federal Parliament came to life on the 20th of August 2012 with a much broader female representation. Nonetheless, the majority of Somali women parliamentarians believe there is still much to be done in terms being represented in the Somali political landscape.