MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s parliament votes today on an electoral deal reached between President Farmajo and the leaders of the country’s federal states on September 17 in Mogadishu following discussions under pressure from the US embassy.
The political deal is expected to gain support from MPs in both lower and upper houses, with sources indicating that First Vice President Abdiweli Mudey is against the pact and is campaigning for the amendment.
If the deal passes, the government, together with the federal states, will begin work on the 2020/21 elections from next month by setting up joint election commissions to oversee the process of electing deputies to the 11th legislature.
Last week, international partners released a statement expressing “ regret ” for the failure to achieve universal suffrage in the country and said the announced model fell short of the long-standing target of Somalia direct voting.
However, they called for a free, fair, transparent and inclusive electoral process, calling on FGS and FMS leaders to continue to meet regularly in a spirit of dialogue and compromise to address pressing national priorities, including security. and inclusive economic as well as political reform.
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo appointed political novice Mohamed Hussein Roble as prime minister this month, nearly two months after former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire was ousted in a vote of no confidence in parliament .
Roble, in his speech to parliament last week, he pledged that his yet-to-be formed government will focus on national elections, security, the economy, and finalizing the interim constitution and reconciliation in Somalia.
AXADLETM
