( CNN ) -- Somali lawmakers voted for a new president Monday , a key milestone for the war-torn nation as it establishes its first stable central government in decades . Parliament members picked Hassan Sheikh Mohamud , a political newcomer who has worked for the United Nations and several international organizations . The new president , who also served as a university professor , defeated the incumbent and some two dozen other candidates . The vote marks a milestone for the nation , which plunged into chaos after Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown 21 years ago . Following his ouster , clan warlords and militants battled for control , sparking a civil war and mayhem nationwide . Somalia has not had an effective central government since then and has mostly remained under a shaky transitional federal government . `` Somali people have taken a great step forward on the path to peace and prosperity , '' said Augustine P. Mahiga , the U.N. envoy to the nation . `` Today , Somalia 's parliamentarians â€ ” in a calm , dignified and contemplative mannerâ€ ” ended the transitional period decisively . Somalia has proved the doubters wrong and sent a powerful message of progress to all of Africa and indeed to the entire world . '' The vote is the latest in a series of political transitions in the nation . In recent weeks , it has adopted a provisional constitution , selected members of parliament and appointed that body 's speaker . `` It has not been easy getting us to this point , '' Mahiga said . `` There have been moments when all seemed lost and we have sometimes been on the brink of despair . '' The White House congratulated the new president and called on Somali leaders `` to usher in a new era of governance that is responsive , representative and accountable . '' `` The United States calls on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to Somalia , and to help realize a more secure and prosperous future for the Somali people , '' it said in a statement . Candidates in Monday 's parliamentary vote included outgoing President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed , who has been in power since 2009 , and his prime minister . Both have been accused of failing to crack down on corruption and Islamist militants in the nation . Over the years , gunbattles between militants and government troops became a common fixture in the capital of Mogadishu , forcing lawmakers to meet in neighboring nations for security reasons . Somalis have fled in record numbers , and are living as refugees in nearby nations . Somalia 's problems have elevated into worldwide concerns as neighboring nations struggled to contain the influx of refugees and the instability fueled the growth of Islamist insurgents . This is the first time Somali politicians have picked a new leader at home because of security concerns , according to Hamza Mohamed , a Somali analyst based in London . `` Previous elections were held in Djibouti and Kenya , '' he said . `` Because of this , Somalis feel they 're part of the process this time even though they 're not voting in the president . '' Despite the move toward a more permanent government , challenges remain . Large parts of the country are under the control of militants and pirates . And even though insurgents have fled the capital and guns have fallen silent , portions of the nation remain lawless . African Union and Somali troops are battling Al-Shabaab militants , an al Qaeda-linked group that controls part of the nation 's south . The militant Islamist group has waged an insurgency against the weak transitional government since 2007 . In recent months , the troops have driven the militants out of Mogadishu , and the capital is slowly trickling back to normalcy . Coalition forces are exerting control in more areas , but the nation was not secure enough to hold a nationwide vote . `` The transition is over . Somalia must now focus on stabilization , reconciliation and building sustainable and accountable institutions of governance capable of providing services to its people , '' Mahiga said in a statement . The new president will serve a four-year term .
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 .