Somalia: After tensions, Deputy PM Salah Jama reinstated by Senate

Abdi Hashi [L] and Salah Jama [R]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's Upper House (Senate) reinstated embattled Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, following a weekend of uncertainty after the House leadership pronounced his seat vacant having violated several Standing Orders and the law.

Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the senate speaker, had invoked Standing Orders which require that he replace any senator missing four consecutive sessions. The records in the House indicated that the Deputy Prime Minister had been found guilty.

But after a heated political debate, Hashi rescinded his decision on Monday evening, effectively ending the crisis that was building in the country. Jama comes from the breakaway region of Somaliland, which has representations in the federal government.

The statement released by the senate confirmed that outstanding issues had been solved and Jama will continue serving in the senate on behalf of Somaliland. Thorough consultations involving the parties were done, it further read.

Salah Ahmed Jama, the DPM, confirmed the resolution of the disagreement, stating that he would remain committed to his senatorial duties. He defended his absence from the house, noting that his commitment to the realization of peace and stability remains undeterred.

"I will serve my constituency and the Somali nation as a member of the Upper House," Jama said in his statement.

The Standing Orders read together with Article 59(a) of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution invoked for the removal of the DPM from the senate. He is the principal assistant of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who was appointed by the House.

Initially, he had opposed the removal as unconstitutional, but both officials have now confirmed the resolution of the issue. Somalia is striving to strengthen its institutions including parliament after decades of chaos and uncertainty, coupled with the Al-Shabaab stalemate.

GAROWE ONLINE