MOGADISHU, Somalia – Mohamed Mursal, speaking for the lower house, on Saturday suspended 15 MPs who were mainly allied with the opposition for five sessions, something that has activated a political storm in the country, which is also trying to resolve a crisis before the election.
Mursal said MPs were behind riots in the assembly during the stormy session on Saturday, triggered by suspicions that lawmakers allied with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were eager to illegally extend the government’s term.
During the chaotic session, MPs shouted the loudspeaker down at the beginning of the case, claiming that the session was aimed at voting on the term of office of President Mohamed Farmaajo.
They also accused Mursal of allowing the army to enter the chamber for violating the procedures and laws that protect lawmakers from such interference.
Abdirizak Omar, a Member of Parliament who was among the more than a dozen banned by the speaker, said he enjoys parliamentary immunity while sitting as a House member.
“The speaker has no respect for the rule of law and abuses the trusted authority to act as an arbitrator. Members of Parliament have immunity from any disciplinary action while in the House. In the event of a disturbance in the House, the Speaker may close the session as described in Rule 16. , paragraph 4. ”
The MP added that Mursal was outside his legal authority to issue criminal acts.
“He has no authority to discipline MPs. None of the articles of the House Rules and Procedure that he referred to to sanction 15 MPs, including myself, give him the authority to discipline MPs. This is pure abuse of power and we will not comply with such illegality as members of the legislature. ”
Mursal told MPs that the session was convened to discuss COVID-19, while many opposition MPs suspected that the hidden agenda was to vote on the extension of President Farmajo, whose constitutional mandate expired on February 8.
Hassan Abdi Ismail said he had not received the official agenda, which should have been delivered 24 hours before MPs took their seats.
Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsane, the leader of the Wadajir party, blamed the speaker for the decision, adding that the President of the House has also used security officers to intimidate lawmakers in the country.
“Farmajo premieres on election day. The fact that he prevented MPs from entering Parliament’s buildings by using the army is an indication that MPs are being denied access to the presidential candidates and the latter want tanks in front of their campaign centers. ”
AXADLETM
