Somalia political leaders agree on Upper House modality
MOGADISHU, Somalia- After heated talks, Somali leaders have agreed on the modality of the Upper House after meetings continued for the sixth day in a row in the capital Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.
Inside sources told GO that Upper House composition has been most major bone of contention, Galmudug Interim Administration and South West states were opposing the additional Upper House seats for Puntland and Somaliland.
Amid fears of talk collapse and impeding the country’s electoral process, leaders of the Somali Federal government and regional administrations have settled to create the Upper House chamber of Parliament with 54 seats as agreed upon in the National Leadership Forum (NLF) conference earlier this year in Kismayo.
The 48 seats will be distributed evenly among the Federal member states with the remaining 6 seats divided equally between Puntland and Somaliland.
The NLF Conference was the last as Somali leaders agreed on an inclusive roadmap for the upcoming election. The country will prepare for Parliamentary and Presidential elections expected to be concluded on October 30.
GAROWEONLINE