Somalia: Parliament speaker rules out Farmajo's term extension

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will have to pave way for polls, Lower House Speaker Mohamed Mursal told reporters, clearing doubts that have recently dominated the opposition's campaigns.

President Farmajo and parliament came to office in 2017 for a four-year term, which is due this year. Electoral agency NIEC is currently preparing for the polls, although the likelihood remains in an unprecedented limbo.

The Forum for National Parties [FNP] and Wadajir party, which constitute the main opposition in Somalia, have in recent days accused Farmajo of "reluctance" and "non-committal" towards preparation for December elections.

But in a shocking statement on Wednesday, Mursal ruled out future term extensions, despite concerns that the regime could meander through existing situations like COVID-19 pandemic to prolong its stay in power.

In his assertions, Mursal insisted that "the law is clear" on matters term limits for both the president and parliament, adding that "the constitution is supreme" than those in power and "must" be adhered to.

“This country has a constitution. Articles 60 and 91 of the provisional constitution state that the term of parliament and president is four years so there is no extension period and we must be prepared for the election,” he noted.

This is the first time a senior leader in the current regime is openly speaking about the much-anticipated polls. Even though the NIEC and international partners have reiterated the need to hold polls, FGS has remained tight-lipped about the matter.

Article 91 of the provisional federal constitution states that "The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall hold office for a term of four [4] years, starting from the day he takes the oath of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in accordance with Article 96 of the Constitution."

For article 60, the term for parliament is strictly four years commencing the day elections results are announced by the NIEC. Parliament constitutes Lower House and Senate [Upper House] just like other bicameral houses.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about a possible extension of the terms. So far, 284 people have contracted the virus, with 14 succumbing by Tuesday according to Dr. Fawziya Abikar, the health minister.

And article 53 of the recently enacted controversial electoral law paves way for an extension of the term during disasters and emergencies such as wars, pandemics which it terms as "calamities".

Although the bill was assented to law by Farmajo early this year, opposition groups have dismissed it as "oppressive and draconian", calling for "urgent" dialogue to reach a neutral ground before its enforcement.

Federal states through Puntland's Said Deni in March volunteered to steer talks with FGS on the polls, although the Mogadishu administration is yet to publicly show commitment to the concerns raised by stakeholders.

While the states have backed the much-touted universal suffrage model, which has been endorsed by Americans, they insist that "Somalia is unprepared for it but can be implemented in the next polls after December".

Also yet to be determined by NIEC are the constituencies and legislations on achieving the 30% quota for women in representative seats. The current clan-based model does not have specific constituencies of representation.

Mursal also noted parliament will re-open in May despite the potential of breaching the social distance rule to curb the spread of COVID-19. The house among others will discuss possible ways to cushion Somalis amid the coronavirus pandemic.

GAROWE ONLINE