NEW : Freedom House calls for ` ` a new era of governance '' from Somalia 's leaders . Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will serve a four - year term . The political leader has worked for the United Nations and is a former university lecturer . Somalia has not had an effective central government in decades .
NEW : White House calls for `` a new era of governance '' from Somalia 's leaders . Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will serve a four-year term . The political newcomer has worked for the United Nations and is a former university lecturer . Somalia has not had an effective central government in decades .