Somalia Lower House extends Farmajo's term without Senate approval

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalis have entered a new era never witnessed in the past three decades after the administration of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose tenure had expired on Feb 8, 2021, extended the term through an illegal vote by the Lower House.

During Monday's session, 149 MPs in the term-ended house have voted unanimously to extend Farmajo's previous mandate to two more years to rule the country, a move that the international partners of Somalia have been warning against for the past few months.

According to the provisional constitution, a Head of State in Somalia should serve four years before seeking re-election, using whichever mode that the electoral committee or leadership forum my decide. Farmajo was first elected in 2017, succeeding Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

In a choreographed parliamentary session organized by Speaker Mohamed Abdirahman Mursal, and preceded by the sacking of Banadir police boss Sadik John, MPs voted overwhelmingly for the motion seeking extension of the current administration for two more years.

Sadak, who also holds a British passport, had asked Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble to "take over" and allow the disputing parties to "solve their differences". This statement was followed by sacking which was ordered by his boss Hassan Abdi Hijaar.

Of the 275 MPs, 149 voted in favor of the motion, in yet a move that now throws the international community-led mediation process into limbo. But during the Monday session, only MPs who are allied to President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo attended the session.

The resolution technically gives way for the National Independent Electoral Commission [NIEC] of Somalia to hold elections in not more than two years and now federal government institutions will continue functioning within the same period.

It's Article 5 of the resolution which gives NIEC two years to hold popular elections. Article 8 gives federal institutions full authority to function during the period mentioned in Article 5 of the resolution.

And this means the September 17 pre-election deal has been overtaken by events. In the deal, the political leadership had agreed to conduct an improved clan-based model of elections where delegates from each constituency were to pick MPs, who would later elect the president.

But despite the overwhelming vote to extend Farmajo's term by Lower House, it's important to note that the move must be approved by the Upper House [Senate].

However, both parties could now use legal justifications to defend their stands. Speaker of the Upper House Abdi Hashi has been on the side of the law and opposed Villa Somalia's actions violating the consitituion.

The international community, which had been pushing for universal suffrage polls, reluctantly backed the deal, which has after all flopped after Villa Somalia failed to implement it. This followed a host of fresh talks, including the recent collapse of the Afisyoni conference.

While Villa Somalia blamed Jubaland and Puntland for being a stumbling block, the two states hit back, accusing the president of "sabotaging the process purposely to seek term extension". The international partners have repeatedly pushed for dialogue.

"Speaker Mursal is conspiring with a president whose mandate ended to steal democracy from Somalia. He is dividing Somalia. He is the main source of insecurity and political crisis that will follow the extension. Mursal must be stopped from wreaking havoc on our fragile democracy," said Abdirizak Mohamed, an opposition MP.

"Farmajo's train has arrived at the station it had been running towards. Many people who were unsure abt his intention now know better. Anyone who provides financial, military, or diplomatic support to Farmajo's unconstitutional acts becomes part of a crime against the Somali people," added Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

Already, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has reportedly hailed Lower House for "unlocking the impasse" but he's yet to issue a full statement. According to the reports, Farmajo has vowed to ensure that "we will hold elections within two years".

Abdulmalik Abdullahi, an analyst on Horn of Africa affairs, has predicated a serious political battle over the unfolding events, arguing that the president should have directed his energy on building bridges in the badly divided country at the moment.

"Farmajo is flogging a dead horse. More people might defect from his camp due to mounting pressure. He needs to sit back, swallow distasteful ego that could cost Somalia," he says. "His efforts on securing an extension ought to be directed to building bridges with the political divide."

GAROWE ONLINE