Avoiding vote in parliament, Somalia President approves Election Model

MOGADISHU, Somalia-Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has approved controversial election modality by decree without vote in parliament amid mounting international pressure, Garowe Online reports. 

Mohamud said, Somalia can’t relapse into politics of chaos again with three months to go until presidential and parliamentary elections later this year. 

Somali Election Module has failed to garner enough support to be passed in parliament, spurring fresh concerns over its future should the often-fickle 275-seat-chamber of parliament decline to be in favor. 

On Thursday, diplomats from United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s 15-member States urged swift endorsement of national blueprint for 2016 polls.  

The approval of model by decree comes a day after GO learned that Mohamud was pondering dissolving lawmakers in a major step towards honed technical preparations for indirect but more enhanced polls by August this year.  

At a media briefing shortly after passage of Election Bill, Somali President warned those pitted to the modality, and reminded them of the turbulent times Somalia passed through over the last two decades.  

He added that Somalia today needs to move forward, taking a jab at outside people for steering work with the executive in a veiled reference to widely speculated opposition to election blueprint by parliament speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari.  

Jaware didn’t join Mohamud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and regional Presidents for key talks with UN delegates at Mogadishu’s seaside airport.  

On Thursday, a protest not seen as “spontaneous” was staged in Mogadishu, with rally participants demanding seats in the Upper House.   

Critics say, President Mohamud orchestrated the demonstration on the eve of a visit by UN Security Council to the war-wracked town.  

Somalia Federal Government introduced national election model that drew swift support from western donors for long baffled by slower pace of the country’s transition from clan-based power sharing formula in January.     

Incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seeking second term in office under a model, UN envoycalled “a midway point between the election of 2012, when only 135 electors selected 275 Members of Parliament and 2020, when all Somalis will have a say.”     

Somalia held first-ever presidential election on its own since the state collapse, in September 2012.

GAROWEONLINE