Impeachment motion against Somalia President splits parliament

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 10, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Amicable resolutions to impeachment motion against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have further split federal parliament into camps as speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman (Jawari ) has briefly recalled MPs from recess for the prevailing political uncertainty, Garowe Online reports.

The 275-seat-chamber of parliament has been slated to officially resume duties on October 15 following a recess squeeze of a month and dropping of no confidence motion in the President. 

Federal MP, Abdirahman Hosh Jibril who leads Anti-president Hassan caucus insisted that they are not ready to sit down with Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke in lieu of Mohamud.

Some MPs have decamped to lawmakers wooed by the President, while prominent proponents stuck to their position of sending President Mohamud packing.

On Saturday, many opposition lawmakers have not been spotted in the meeting in which Prime Minister Sharmarke represented the President.

“This is yet another sign for the internal schism that continues to plague Somalia parliament. From two camps to three …and we expect the split to gain momentum over the next few days,” an analyst told Garowe Online.

Insiders reveal that the motion prompted for Mohamud to weigh in on reshuffling the cabinet to allay no-confidence motion and appease challengers with ministerial portfolios.

On August 12, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari received no confidence motion from lawmakers said to be numbering over 90.

MPs have lambasted Mohamud, whose three-year presidency has been marred by corruption, for blatant disregard for the Provisional Federal Constitution.

On August 18, Somalia’s embattled President was quoted as saying; he was keen to appear in the 275-seat-chamber of parliament for address in the wake of the motion.

GAROWE ONLINE