MOGADISHU, Somalia – House Speaker Mohamed Mursal on Saturday was forced to postpone the parliamentary session after chaotic scenes in which MPs came from both sides of the political divide in Somalia.
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The current parliament had its mandate expired in December 2020, but the country is yet to go to the polls, leading to a political quagmire that has threatened to throw the country into chaos, even after years of political war.
Mursal, a close ally of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, had convened the session to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen the third wave sweep through the streets of Mogadishu and lead to more deaths in the country.
However, many opposition MPs raised concerns, arguing that the real purpose of the meeting was to extend the current term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose term of office expired on February 8 based on the country’s transitional constitution.
The anger raised by Farmajo’s opponents meant that Parliament lacked the necessary quorum to adopt a vote.
Abdirizak Mohamed, a federal MP and former Minister of Internal Security, said his colleagues were targeted by commonly dressed security personnel in parliament to express their opposition to a period extension.
“Somalia has become a police state. Today, the legislature lost all credibility as an independent institution after deploying a plainly dressed army in parliament, which violated its sanctuary. MPs are also targeted to express their opinion as opposed to the election period.”
In a video posted on social media, Mohamed Mursal gets up from his chair and signals that MPS should stand up. Shortly after, Mursal leaves the session accompanied by his deputy and several men.
Farmajo is facing increasing pressure to find a solution to the political crisis facing Somalia. At the request of the international community, he organized national election talks with federal member state leaders, but Jubaland and Northeastern State rejected those talks.
Somalia’s international partners have stated unequivocally that they will not support any parallel or partial elections.
Mohamed Mursal said he suspended 15 opposition lawmakers from Monday’s session, with many fearing the House will pass an extension law.
Currently, there are ongoing talks linking the federal government of Somalia, federal member states and the international community whose goal is to unlock the stalemate.
AXADLETM
