But his "hero's welcome", as reported by the local and international press, is chiefly symbolic of high expectations by a people desperate for real leadership after a decade without a central government.
The country and infrastructure is fragmented; the international community cautious in its recognition and backing; and the seat of government, Mogadishu, destroyed by years of inter-clan fighting.
Elected in the Djibouti-hosted Somali peace talks, the interim president and his strong Transitional National Assembly TNA - chosen on a strict clan basis - now begin the real task of setting up an operational government of national unity. But there are many hurdles to overcome. The new government is expected to hold a meeting within the week to decide on a "plan of action", government sources told IRIN.
With government, civic and private buildings destroyed - including parliament - the government will have to decide first where such a meeting can take place. So far the government is operating out of four hotels provided by the business community. The members of the TNA were provided with mobile phones on arrival, so they can at least communicate. An immediate task will be the naming of the cabinet, which will be risky, Somali political sources said. All clans are expecting to be represented in the new cabinet, and the new charter allows for "a maximum of 25" ministers.
Competition between clans will be compounded by personalities within the clans. It is the prime minister's job to appoint the cabinet. The biggest hurdle is the security situation, particularly in Mogadishu - which the new government decided was nevertheless secure enough to move to.
