Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took power for the second time on Thursday, promising to reconcile his country’s divided political groups, as well as relations with neighbors after years of wrangling.

Mr. Mohamud, who succeeded Mr. Mohamed Farmaajo, said his country will remain neutral in the international space, while befriending countries that will respect its sovereignty and seek to solve common problems like al- Shabaab and poverty.

“The event we are witnessing today [his inauguration] is an example of democracy being restored to Somalia,” he said, noting that except when the country was under military rule for 21 years (1969 – 1991), Somalis have always been pro-democracy.

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Mr. Mohamud indicated that reconciliation and peaceful coexistence are a priority for his government, addressing a rally that included his predecessors Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and Mr. Farmaajo with whom they raise their hands to show unity.

“To achieve true reconciliation, we will respond to whatever comes up,” he said, adding that talks with the breakaway region of Somaliland will be reinvigorated.

“An important instrument that will boost reconciliation is to complete the revision and implementation of the provisional constitution,” the new president said, adding that democratization is about returning power to the people by allowing citizens to elect and to get elected.

“We will strengthen our friendship with our neighbors and Somalia’s partners around the world.”

Mr. Mohamud noted the ongoing drought with devastating effects, illustrating that Somalia is suffering badly from climate change, sandwiched between floods and droughts.

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“We cannot continue to survive for months providing water to people affected by drought and then providing relief to those affected by floods,” the president said, calling for action.

He inherits a country whose national and federal levels of government remain broken, corruption is rampant and al-Shabaab militants even fired mortars at the airport ahead of the event.

He promised to work day and night to lead responsible state institutions aimed at development, including strong programs of collaboration with international financial institutions, especially on the issue of debt relief.

At the event, one after another, the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, the three neighboring countries of Somalia, pledged to continue their assistance in stabilizing Somalia.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed each flew from their respective capitals to join the investiture ceremony held in Mogadishu on the occasion of the election of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Thursday.

Kenyatta hailed the peaceful transfer of power from the immediate former President (Mr. Farmaajo) to Mohamud who became President for the second time.

Mr. Kenyatta said Mr. Mohamud, whose first term as president lasted between 2012 and 2017, has an opportunity to forge closer regional collaboration.

“Kenya warmly welcomes the peaceful transfer of power,” Kenyatta remarked, underscoring his country’s willingness to work with Somali leaders as part of Mr. Mohamud’s development agenda.

He said working together creates opportunities for success in Somalia, Kenya and the East Africa region.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy received a standing ovation as he greeted the masses with some Somali-language remarks ‘Hambalyo, hambalyo Madaxweeyne, Waxaan kuu rajeeynaa in Ilaheey kugu asturo. Waxaan u rajeeynaa Shacabka Soomaaliya nabad waarto iyo barwaaqo.’ (Congratulations, congratulations Mr. President. I wish God bless you. I wish the people of Somalia lasting peace and prosperity).

Mr. Ahmed’s visit was also unique as he led a large delegation that included Somali ethics officers in Ethiopia.

The delegation included ruling Prosperity Party Vice Chairman Adem Farah, Federal Finance Minister Ahmed Shide as well as Prime Minister’s Security Adviser Redwan Hussein and Somali Regional President Mustafa Omer Agjar, among others.

Guelleh, arguably the Horn of Africa’s oldest leader, pledged Djibouti’s fraternal cooperation, especially in the area of ​​experience sharing.

Following remarks from regional leaders, former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, 8th Somali Head of State to head the Transitional Federal Government (2009-2012) addressed a special greeting to former President Farmaajo who lost the competition on May 15.

“Former President Farmaajo, I tell you that the loss of the elections may have been a blessing. Otherwise, you had won, it could have been interpreted as a leader rigging the election,” said Sharif Ahmed, implying that his remarks were a humorous joke.

Mr. Farmaajo was very grateful to all who assisted him during his tenure, especially the countries contributing troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and its successor, the Somalia Transitional Mission. African Union in Somalia (ATMIS).

“I thank you [AMISOM and ATMIS peacekeepers] for supporting our brave armed forces, striving to make Somalia more stable,” Farmaajo remarked, asking everyone to help the new president.

“I know the presidency is hard work. So let everyone join hands in prayer and support for the new government,” he added.