Somalia swears in lawmakers as UN warns of famine

By OMAR FARUK
Associated Press

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia has inaugurated 290 new lawmakers, bringing the country a step closer to completing a prolonged electoral process marred by alleged corruption and irregularities. The ceremony was held Thursday in the capital’s heavily fortified Halane military camp, protected by sandbagged fences and high concrete walls. Dozens more legislators are yet to be selected and sworn in. Later the lawmakers will elect speakers and deputies for both parliamentary chambers before they sit to choose a new president. The swearing-in  came as the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Somalia warned that “the country is facing a very real risk of famine.” Adam Abdelmoula says severe drought has compounded humanitarian needs, and 6 million people “need food assistance immediately.”