OnSaturday Somalia elected Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed as its newpresident. Many analysts say Ahmed has a real daunting task of reuniting Somalis, but some say as a moderate he may have a better chance of bringing stability to thecountry.
Abdullahi Abdulkadir Mohamedis a professor Arabic Studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He told VOA?sAkwei Thompson this is a great time for Sheikh Ahmed to create a comprehensive and inclusive government, bringing together all the differentfactions including, Somalis in the Diaspora, and even those who were defeatedin the elections on Friday night.
Professor Mohamed said SheikhAhmed should find it easier to deal with the Somali piracy problem because thereare reports that people in areas perceived to be strongholds of the piratesvoted in large numbers for him.
He said with the support ofthe international community Sheikh Ahmed has the chance to make Somalia asecure and peaceful country.