Somalia: Lower House meeting postponed after Saturday’s chaos
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The House of Commons has postponed a meeting scheduled for today [Monday], just a day after a chaotic session triggered by suspicion and counter-complaints over the intent, a move that led to the suspension of 15 MPs.
A circular issued Sunday indicated that speaker Mohamed Mursal had postponed the meeting following pressure from members of the international community and to some extent Somalia’s federal government.
While the team allied with Speaker Mursal and outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo insisted that the meeting discuss COVID-19 protocols, there were reports that MPs were planning to extend the current administration.
President Farmajo’s term expired on February 8, but he has failed to hold elections, leading to the current opposition. Parliament’s term also expired last year, but they extended it in violation of the country’s interim constitution.
Members of the lower house of the Somali parliament were informed that there will be a meeting on Monday at 9:00 with the agenda COVID-19 and approval of members of the border team in a circular set by Garowe Online.
Saturday’s session ended in chaos after opposition MPs rejected an alleged plan to extend Farmajo’s term. The chaotic scenes have since been condemned by the international community and other stakeholders accusing Farmajo of throwing the country into civil wars.
Sources revealed to Axadlethat US, British, EU and UN envoys in Mogadishu spoke by telephone with House of Commons speaker Mursal, telling him that an extension is “unacceptable” and if it did, the house’s management would be held accountable. International partners are expected to publish a statement on the subject on Monday.
AXADLETM
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