Somali parliament reverses decision to extend presidential term
Issued on:
02/05/2021 - 15:40 In a brief speech before parliament Somalia s president abandoned a policy extending his term in office by two years - AFP 3 min Somali lawmakers have voted unanimously to nullify a law they approved last month to extend the presidential mandate by two years. The decision comes after intense fighting in Mogadishu between Somali security forces divided over the issue. Advertising Read more
Following Saturday’s vote in the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble ordered the army to return to barracks and urged politicians to avoid inciting violence.
Somalia to Hold Vote After Presidentâs Term Extension Scrapped
May 01 2021, 6:37 PM
May 01 2021, 6:17 PM
May 01 2021, 6:37 PM
(Bloomberg)
(Bloomberg)
Somalia will return to a plan to hold elections after lawmakers agreed to scrap a decision to extend President Mohamed Abdullahiâs term in office.
The president, known as Farmajo, appointed Prime Minister Mohamed Roble to lead preparations for the vote during a speech in parliament on Saturday. His term had been extended on April 14 after the country failed to hold a scheduled vote in February because of disagreements between federal and regional government over the process.
Farmajo had called for the return to the previous agreement on elections after some leaders backtracked on supporting the decision to extend his term and the U.S. threatened sanctions. He didnât set a date for a new vote.
The United Nations
The United Nations Secretary-General on Saturday welcomed the decision by the Lower House of Somalia’s Federal Parliament to nullify a special law and to return to the 17 September Electoral Agreement that will allow for indirect presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call on all Somali stakeholders to “resume dialogue immediately and forge a consensual agreement on the holding of inclusive elections without further delay”.
.@UN in #Somalia welcomes decision of Fed Parliament to reinstate the 17 September electoral agreement following @M Farmaajo‘s request: calls on Somali leaders to return to dialogue and prepare #elections without delay: welcomes lead role of @MohamedHRobleh on behalf of #FGS