Somalia President Appears in Parliament

MOGADISHU, Somalia-Federal Government of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appeared before lawmakers in the country’s 275-seat-chamber on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

In his lengthy speech to MPs, Mohamud discussed confidence building measures, role of international community, Mogadishu plane blast, economy and recent National Consultative Forum.

In apparent reference to international donors, he said those days are over, meaning political process is now Somali-led and Somali-owned.

“Please, defy reports alleging that your influence is outdated. I want to assure you of your importance and you [MPs] should be confident of this,” he said in his initial remarks.

He noted that Somalis will be bulldozed if they fail to put their political legitimacy in order.

“Our politics cannot be guided but you can help us capacitate security sector, and install key facilities. By the way, we can’t make politicking out of difficult days in the past,” seethed Mohamud.

Security

On security, Somali President touched on deadly attack on beachfront restaurants and mid-air Daallo airlines blast.

“The latest incident that left mothers, children and other unarmed figures dead was carried out by terrorists. They are hoodlums who dare kill people and they must be contained,” he went on of Somali militant group.

He warned security forces of extrajudicial tortures moments after suspects are apprehended in operations. Mohamud requested for interrogations, threatening those caught red-handedly with action.

Speaking on airliner explosion, he stated that investigations have been launched into the suspected masterminds--who when convicted—will be brought to justice soon.

Election proposal

In a veiled reaction to Puntland’s objection to new electoral proposal, Mohamud boasted that participants in National Consultative Forum (NCF) refused to heed a decision by two persons.

Somalia’s new proposal for 2016 will be put forward to parliament for deliberations, Somalia President unveiled.

Moreover, Mohamud highlighted the need to prevent militant group from luring unemployed youths into handsome pays.

Mogadishu proposal was greeted with both enthusiasm and objection, with Puntland giving the cold shoulder to any model ushering in traditional 4.5 power sharing formula.

SOURCE: GAROWEONLINE