Somali President Inaugurates Sixth Parliamentary Session, Emphasizes Importance of Security and Upcoming Elections
Mogadishu (AX) – A gentle hum of anticipation filled the air as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed Parliament on Saturday—a collective assembly of minds gathered to mark the opening of its sixth session in Mogadishu.
Is there a time more apt for reflection and hope than the dawn of a new parliamentary session? President Mohamud seized this moment, directing the statesmen’s attention to the seismic military movements against the entrenched forces of ISIS and Al-Shabaab in the arid expanses of Northeastern State and the vibrant heart of south-central Somalia. And yet, in this war-torn landscape, there was a glimmer of optimism as he congratulated Parliament for the commendable feat of finalizing the constitution during its previous session.
“We stand by the Northeastern State forces engaged in this righteous struggle against the Khawarij militants. The Federal Government of Somalia supports the forces and the people in this fight,” President Mohamud declared, his voice a clarion call echoing through the corridors of power.
The President took a moment to reflect on the triumphs of reestablishing Somalia’s Air Force and Navy. The resurgence of these entities, reduced almost to whispers in past decades, now promises a vigilant watch over Somalia’s azure skies and the rolling waves of its coastline. “The Federal Government is committed to protecting our waters and combating illegal fishing,” he affirmed, weaving a tapestry of accountability and guardianship.
The narrative weaves into the weighty realm of counterterrorism efforts, where significant strides have been made in liberating regions from the corrosive grip of Al-Shabaab. President Mohamud reiterated the government’s determined resolve to fortify these liberated areas, places where the scent of freedom lingers heavily in the air.
In an unexpected pivot towards the stars, President Mohamud announced an ambitious plan—a national first. By the year’s end, a satellite will ascend from Somali soil, marking not just a milestone for the nation but potentially igniting a beacon for the entire continent. The forthcoming satellite launch center, already under construction, marries Somali soil with Turkish ingenuity—a synergy of ambition and engineering.
But what of the earthbound ambitions, you ask? Somalia stands on the cusp of transformative electoral reforms, inching ever closer to a one-person, one-vote system. This progression heralds a return to a more direct democracy, restoring agency to its citizens, empowering them to choose their leaders without the fettered weight of intermediaries.
The National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC), in a declaration that sends ripples of anticipation through the nation, recently announced a landmark development: local council elections set for June. This electoral crescendo will sweep through regions such as Gedo and Khaatumo, under the watchful eye of the NIEC Chairperson Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, who detailed that an impressive 800 polling stations have been earmarked. These stations span the bustling streets of Mogadishu, traverse the fertile lands of Hirshabelle, stretch across Galmudug, touch the turbulent frontiers of Jubaland—including Gedo—and encompass the South West State along with the nascent SSC-Khaatumo administration.
As the session drew to a close, one couldn’t help but feel the echoes of change—of a nation preparing to not just take its place on the international stage but to dance a leading role. Do we dare ask, then, what the future holds for Somalia, a nation threading its way through tumult towards a vista of possibility?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
