VP Gai to deliver President Kiir’s message to Somalia

Vice President Gen. Taban Deng Gai will deliver a special message by President Salva Kiir to newly elected Somali President – Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Deng who is in charge of the infrastructure cluster docket, is also expected to fly to Djibouti to discuss possible trade ties between the two countries.

Deng has been delegated the role by his boss – Kiir who missed the swearing-in of Mohamud on May 22.

President Kiir also directed the VP to have bilateral talks with the two neighbouring countries on infrastructure development – mainly, roads.

Although details about his travel are scanty, especially he is expected to fly to Mogadishu, the South Sudan’s high representative will then proceed to Asmara, where he is expected to discuss how Juba can benefit from the Port of Djibouti.

Mohamud was elected into office for a second-year term on May 15. He took over office the following week.

He had served as the country’s eighth President – from 2012 to 2017. However, he lost the seat to President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, in 2017.

After three rounds of voting, Mohamud garnered 214 votes against Mr Farmajo’s 110 in a first presidential election decided by secret ballot.

An educationist, Mohamud became the first person to lead war-torn Somalia for the second time.