Somalia selects new speaker

Somalia's parliament Tuesday elected former labor minister Mohamed Osman Jawari as its new speaker.

Jawari was selected in a vote by 228 legislators, according to the Associated Press. He led the first round of voting, but was challenged by former-prime minister Ali Khalif Galaydh, who later pulled out in the second round of voting, saying he favored Jawari for the job. Jawari was then declared the winner.

The 66-year-old speaker previously served as transportation minister and minister of labor and sports under former-President Mohamed Siad Barre, reported Voice of America. He was also the head of a committee that held public discussions about a draft constitution that was provisionally adopted last month.

The African nation's next task is to elect its new president. According to VOA, more than 60 candidates have put themselves forward, including the incumbent, Sheikh Sheikh Ahmed. The new parliament had its first meeting on August 20, bringing an eight-year transitional government, which was weighed down by infighting and ineffectiveness, to an end.

More from GlobalPost: Making money in Somalia

The AP reported that the process to select Somalia's next government has been criticized for corruption and threats of violence, while others have praised it as a moment that will help lead the country to peace and stability.