Somalia: Parliament session cancelled over Al-Shabaab attack
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Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 28-11-2022, 12:22PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Senate and House of Representatives in Somalia have cancelled a joint session scheduled for today [Monday] following the Al-Shabaab raid in Villa Rosa Hotel, a popular eatery in Mogadishu which is frequented by government officials and other VIP guests.
Speakers of the Upper House and Lower House cancelled the sitting seat to discuss and approve the budget, citing "security concerns". The hotel under the Al-Shabaab attack is situated not far away from Villa Somalia, the official office and residence of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Al-Shabaab militants are still holed up in the hotel with preliminary reports indicating that over 10 people have been killed and several others critically injured. The elite Danab Special Forces are on the scene and are trying to get hold of the militants who are firing from one of the floors.
Monday's session was meant to discuss the 2023 budget, which was approved by the cabinet last week after thorough scrutiny. The $967.7 million budget is set to expand the country's development activities besides helping with recurrent expenses including payment of salaries and operations.
Although Lower House Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe and the Upper House Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, did not officially explain the reason for the postponement, it is, however, believed that the ongoing siege significantly contributed to the decision.
Among those injured in the attack were Somalia's federal Minister of Security Mohamed Ahmed Doodishe, Abdullahi Bashir, a former official at the Ministry of Finance and the State Minister for environment Aw Hirsi, a common figure in the recently concluded climate change summit in Egypt.
The government has also announced plans to invest more in the security sector to enable the Somalia National Army to expand its territory by flushing out the Al-Shabaab militants. The government is also partnering with the international community to help in curbing sources of revenue for the group.
GAROWE ONLINE
