Chaos in Somalia Parliament as Speaker Mursal adjourns session

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Speaker of Lower House Mohamed Mursal was on Saturday forced to adjourn parliament session following chaotic scenes pitting MPs from either side of the political divide in Somalia.

The current parliament had its mandate expire in December 2020 but the country is yet to go for elections, leading to a political quagmire, which has threatened to plunge the country into chaos, even after years of political wrangles.

Mursal, a close ally of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, had called the session to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen the third wave sweep across the streets of Mogadishu, leading to several deaths in the country.

However, many opposition MPs raised concerns, arguing that the true purpose of the sitting was to extend the current term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose tenure expired on Feb 8, based on the transitional constitution of the country.

The ire raised by Farmajo's detractors meant that parliament would lack the necessary quorum to pass a vote.

Abdirizak Mohamed, a federal MP and former Minister of Internal Security said that his colleagues were targeted by plain-clothed security personnel inside parliament for voicing their opposition to a term extension.

"Somalia has become a police state. Today the legislature lost all credibility as an independent institution after deploying a plain-clothed army inside the parliament, violating its sanctity. MPs are also targeted for expressing their opinion in opposition to term extension."

In a video posted on social media, Mohamed Mursal rises from his chair and signals for the MPS to quiet down. Shortly after, Mursal leaves the session accompanied by his deputy speaker and several men.

Farmajo is facing mounting pressure to find a solution to the political crisis facing Somalia. At the behest of the international community, he organized national electoral talks with Federal Member State leaders, but Jubaland and Puntland snubbed those talks.

Somalia's international partners have been unequivocal that they would not support any parallel or partial elections.

Mohamed Mursal said he suspended 15 opposition lawmakers from Monday's session which many fear the house will pass extension legislation. 

Currently, there are ongoing talks pitting the federal government of Somalia, federal member states, and the international community, whose aim is to unlock the impasse.

GAROWE ONLINE