United Nations Radio

The UN's top envoy for Somalia has welcomed the organized manner in which the President of Somalia has resigned.

Ahmedou Ould Abdallah

President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed formally announced his resignation from office effective Monday.
UN special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah says President Yusuf has taken a "courageous decision".
He says it is his "understanding that this is the first time in Somalia modern history that a president has decided to leave office peacefully", describing it as "a patriotic and courageous decision."
Ould Abdallah says "a new page of Somalia's history is now open."
He called "upon the Somali people within and outside the country to support the president in these historic moments" and invited them "to take this opportunity to rise above their differences."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 44")