Parliamentarians in Somalia’s Lower House have handed a 2-year mandate extension to the Farmajo-led government. 149 MPs voted by a show of hands to approve. One-man, One vote elections are expected to be held within 2 years.
The resolution gives National Independent Electoral Commission Somalia power to hold elections in not more than 2 years.
Somalia President Mohamed Abdilahi Farmaajo welcomes the Lower House’s decision on extension of the mandate of the Federal Government institutions.
President farmajo urges citizens to seize the historic chance to choose their destiny as the House of the People voted to return the mandate of the election to the people. This followed the failure of FMS members to support the implementation of the initial Sep 17, 2020 Agreement.
Earlier Monday, Mogadishu’s police commander Sadaq John was fired moments after announcing he suspended parliament same day. He stated that he ‘was acting unilaterally to prevent lawmakers from extending the President’s term.
Former Somalia leader and chairman of the opposition presidential candidates Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has received the decision taken by Mogadishu police chief Sadiq John to block a session of Parliament whose members’ mandate has expired.
The chaos underscores the widening divisions within the Horn of Africa’s security services over extending the four-year term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who faces growing pressure to quit after his term as national leader ended.
Parliament was supposed to elect a new president on February 8, but the exercise was delayed because new lawmakers have yet to be picked by elders.
