Somalia: Jubbaland State Parliament endorses restrictive law

KISMAYO, Somalia - The lawmakers of Somalia's Southern Member State of Jubbaland have on Tuesday approved a new law that bans them from holding a session outside Kismayo city, Garowe Online reports.

During Tuesday's session, 32 out of the 38 MPs present have voted in favor of the restrictive bill, 4 rejected while 2 abstained, according to Bashir Mohamed Dahay, a member of the Parliament staff.

The new law is said to have been proposed by the State President Ahmed Madobe after a group of regional legislators signed motion against his term-ending cabinet, citing "Incompetence, Corruption, and Nepotism."

After the vote, the parliamentarians were notified that every MP who organizes an anti-president meeting in and outside the port city will lose his impunity he/she enjoys as a member of Jubbaland Parliament.

Last month, Jubbaland Security forces have arrested Ahmed Abdi Hassan (Ahmed Tajir) and spent five days in jail without charges for allegedly proposing a no-confidence motion against President Madobe and his cabinet.

Hassan's detention came a day after the assembly stripped him of the impunity, accused him of violating the constitution and inciting crisis in the Federal member state.

With several months left to his term in office, critics expressed doubt of an election in Kismayo, accusing President Madobe, of 'Systemic Oppression' and seeking to extend his tenure "unlawfully."

Since 2017, Jubbaland legislative body stripped 3 MPs of their immunity for being against the President who is blamed for poor leadership and failing the security and liberate state region from Al Shabaab.

The Jubbaland State of Somalia faces a mounting political crisis as the regional leader clamps down on dissenting voices challenging the current administration.

GAROWE ONLINE