MPs rescind decision to extend President Farmaajo’s term
AFRICA
Somalia s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of Cyril Ramaphosa at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa in May 2019. [File]
Somalia s lower house of parliament voted unanimously on Saturday to cancel a divisive two-year presidential term extension it approved last month, a move that might help end an armed stand-off in the capital Mogadishu.
The crisis over the term extension has raised fears that al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents could exploit the situation. Militants from al Shabaab took over at least one Somali town in the past week, as heavily armed fighters moved from the countryside into the capital city.
Last Updated:
Somali President Asks PM To Organise Elections Amid Unrest; Turkey Welcomes Move
The Somali President on May 1 ditched the extension of his two-year mandate in office reached last month that spiralled fragile nation into political unrest.
(Image Credit: AP)
Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Saturday asked the Prime Minister to organize the elections as soon as possible in a bid to calm the country s worst political crisis in several years. “We have decided to seek the solution through negotiations and to avoid starting violence for the benefit of those who trade on the blood of the public,” Mohamed, popularly known as Farmajo, said in a televised speech before parliament that was broadcast live.
Sunday, 02 May 2021 07:16 AM MYT
Somalia s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed addresses the lower house of Parliament in Mogadishu, Somalia May 1, 2021. Reuters pic
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on news you need to know.
NAIROBI, May 2 Somalia is witnessing its worst political crisis in years, with deadly clashes and armed rivals in Mogadishu after the head of state extended his mandate by two years without elections being held.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, commonly known by his nickname of Farmajo, is expected to appear before parliament in a key moment of the crisis on Saturday.
Here are five things to know about the deadlock: