PM Roble officially takes over office

 Mohamed Hussein Roble has officially taken charge as new Prime Minister following a handover ceremony Sunday.

Acting Prime Minister Mahdi Guleid handed over the reigns of power to the new PM ending slightly over two months in acting capacity.

Earlier, there was uncertainty as to whether Guleid would be presiding over the ceremony following a request by former PM Hassan Khaire to be granted the opportunity.

Roble now becomes the second PM in President Mohamed Farmaajo’s reign following the removal of Khaire in late July.

The new PM will now proceed to constitute a new council of ministers which will require parliamentary approval.

Roble will be in office for barely five months as the term of the current administration formally lapses by February. His main task will be to prepare the country for elections and oversee a transition to new administration.

Parliamentary elections are set to kick off November 1 while a new president should be elected by the first week of February in line with constitutional timelines.