Jacob Zuma Congratulates Farmajo On Election, Promises to Work Together

South African president, Jacob Zuma, has formally congratulated newly elected Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, and has pledged to work closely with him to build relationships between the two African countries.

Mohamed – who is more prominently known by his nickname, Farmajo – was elected as the president of Somalia last week. Farmajo’s election was hailed as a victory, after the west African country struggled for years to hold a free and fair election.

According to Zuma’s spokesperson, the South African president also congratulated Somalia on their successful election, and for sticking to a democratic process.

“[Zuma] commended all other candidates who immediately accepted the results, thus showing commitment to democratic principles amid attacks by destabilising forces during the weeks preceding the elections [sic],” a spokesperson for the South African president said.

During his victory speech, Farmajo said that his main objective was to unify Somalia, and to take back control of various regions in the country that have fallen to al-Shabaab militants.

Zuma further said that South Africa is looking forward to renewed, bilateral relationships between the two African countries.