Chairperson of the Commission for African Union (AU) Jean Ping on Tuesday urged the Somali stakeholders and in particular, the Transitional Federal Parliament, to take all necessary steps for the early appointment of a new president.
In a statement from the AU headquarters, Ping said the resignation of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf "came at a critical time in the efforts being deployed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the AU and the United Nations to contribute to the promotion of lasting peace and reconciliation in Somalia."
He called on all Somali stakeholders "to commit themselves to promoting peace, security and stability throughout Somalia.
The Chairperson also called on them "to extend full cooperation to the AU Mission in Somalia in the pursuance of its peace mandate."
Yusuf announced his resignation on Monday following a bitter feud with Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein.