Somalia: HirShabelle assembly gives final nod to longer presidency

JOWHAR, Somalia - HirShabelle's House of parliament gave its assent on Wednesday to constitutional amendments extending the presidential term from four to five years.

The session was attended by 70 members of parliament, 66 of whom voted in favor, 3 against and 1 abstained. The legislation has been rushed through the parliamentary process in a few weeks with little dissent.

The Speaker of the Parliament Abdihakin Luqman has announced the results of the vote, allowing both the House and president to remain in office for the next five years.

"The amendments of the 33 and 50 articles of the constitution were nodded through the assembly with 66 votes in favor and 3 against and 1 abstention," said Luqman.

The reason for the extension of the term of the HirShabelle's executive and legislative branches is said to be the separation of the region's elections from the national vote, which coincide with each other.

HirShabelle, which the youngest Federal State in Somalia formed in 2016 was beset by political crisis and divisions for the past 4 years due to Mogadishu interference. 

GAROWE ONLINE