Hassan Ali Kheyre nominated as Somalia's next Prime Minister

Hassan Ali Kheyre on Thursday was named the prime minister of Somalia by country’s new President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Kheyre, former aid worker and oil executive is a political new-comer, and holds dual citizenship of Norway and Somalia.

After his nomination, Kheyre promised to “tirelessly work with the president and try to form a government that represents the public”. The 49-year-old has been a regional director of the Norwegian Refugee Council charity and a director of controversial British oil company Soma Oil and Gas.

Britain‘s Serious Fraud Office in December closed an investigation into Soma over bribery allegations after finding “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction”.

Kheyre is a close associate of former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a member of the Hawiye clan, meaning his nomination maintains the traditional clan balance alongside Farmajo who is a Darod.