The lower house is re-emerging in Somalia as the claim for extension of the concept fills the air
MOGADISHU, Somalia | Somalia’s lower house is coming together again today [Monday] in the midst of an ongoing stalemate with the national election debate as one of the topics in the order paper, as the international community continues to put pressure on the country’s leadership.
For the fifth time, the international community called on all stakeholders to find an urgent solution to the current stalemate, arguing that it would be appropriate for political leadership to find a solution for the sake of stability and peace in the Horn of Africa.
In order for the session to continue, President Mohamed Abdirahman Mursal must have proposals for a few MPs, after which at least 139 of the 275 legislators must be in the House for the sake of quorum. The proposal requires only a simple majority.
The federal government insists that only Jubaland and Northeastern State are not ready for the election of the five federal states. Those close to the Mogadishu administration have called for an extension of the mandate of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s administration, arguing that it will create stability.
But critics argue that MPs plan to cancel the September 17 agreement on indirect elections on the grounds that it did not work given the political stalemate in Monday’s proposal. The movement is to reactivate a person’s voice system; give the government two years to prepare for elections, critics say.
Observers believe that most MPs favor extension because the movement is also extending their mandate, not least to face re-election and costly campaigns for another two years. Talks to end the dead gas were reportedly collapsed in Mogadishu.
In a detailed breakdown, Abdirizak Mohamed, one of the opposition lawmakers, poked holes in the planned meeting, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. His feelings rhymed with those of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who accused Farmajo of planning a term extension.
“The speaker violates the house rules and procedure by having the parliament discuss a proposal that seeks an illegal extension.
Article 75 states the procedure for receiving a proposal:
75 (1) It must be a written movement with signatures from the required number of MPs, ”said Mohamed.
“Article 75 (2), the proposal must be received by the Speaker’s Office on a working day, working time and registered in the register as it is received,” he noted. “75 (3) After the movement is entered in the registry, the Speaker’s Office shall repeal any movement which it considers to be contrary to the Constitution, other laws of the country or the rules and procedures of the House, and then inform the House of the reasons for invalidating the movement.”
The proposal to extend the term of Parliament and the term of the President is contrary to the Interim Constitution, MP, which is one of the members of the Forum of National Parties [FNP] said in a tweet.
Thus, he noted that the proposal should not be discussed in plenary. Article 60 (1) of the Constitution 1, states that the term of office of the federal parliament is 4 years. Article 91 of the Constitution states that the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall serve for a term of four years, he noted.
AXADLETM
