Somalia: MP Abdirahman speaks on the legality of his position as an envoy

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response of Somalia Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame spoke for the first time about whether he would legally lose his parliamentary seat due to his new task.

Speaking to the BBC Somali service, Warsame said his current job is unpaid and voluntary which is part of his duties as a member of the Somali parliament. He added that is ready to sacrifice his seat to fulfil the task of humanitarian work

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appointed Warsame to the position last month since he is "an influential and public figure" picked to be the right person for the job.

His appointment came after several people died and millions were displaced from their homes following the drought, which is putting the country at risk of famine as the UN warned.

Questions have been raised about whether he can effectively discharge his new mandate given that he was recently elected as a Member of Parliament. The new envoy also contested for Somalia's presidential seat but lost to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

However, Warsame insists his temporary work is not similar to the official position in the government, but it is the one that MP in a parliamentary committee that focuses on special needs.

The Wadajir party leader noted that his current role as the drought envoy was unpaid and voluntary but that he was willing to sacrifice his role as a member of parliament to complete the task. He has been passionate about eradicating hunger in the Horn of Africa nation.

"If I need to leave as a member of parliament to do this job, I am willing to do so," said MP Abdirahman.‎

Article 59 of the provisional constitution states that a Member of Parliament can be kicked out should he hold a government post other than being a minister. Most MPs in Somalia serve in the cabinet due to the parliamentary system of government.

Somalia is facing the worst drought in as many years, which has left over 6 million people vulnerable. The government declared a state of emergency last year due to the ravaging drought and immediately asked the international community to chip in and give humanitarian assistance.

According to data from the United Nations, already, over 1 million people have already left their homes for IDP camps for easy assistance. Last week, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the Al-Shabaab militants have also forced farmers to IDP camps.

The government of the United Arab Emirates [UAE] recently donated $9.6 million for the assistance of people affected by drought. Also, the United Kingdom pumped $32 million for the same purpose. President Hassan Sheikh said he's determined to mitigate the crisis.

GAROWE ONLINE