Somalia: Senator Farole urges Federal Parliament to endorse new cabinet

GAROWE, Puntland- Federal Senator and Former Puntland President Abdirahman Mahmoud Farole, has called lawmakers of Somalia’s House of People to swiftly endorse the nominated cabinet ministers by Prime Minister, Garowe Online reports.

In a special interview with Radio Garowe over the phone from his residence in Australia, Senator Farole highlighted to the importance that Federal Parliament give the vote of confidence to the new cabinet to move forward with the new government's agenda to tackle Somalia’s challenges including worsening drought conditions and insecurity.

However, he lamented to the recent move by several MPs who showed opposition to the new cabinet nominated by PM Hasan Ali Khayre, and noted it could undermine people's hope for change in the country.  

Last Thursday, Somalia’s Parliament Speaker called Khayre to review his proposed cabinet after lawmakers presented a petition calling for amendment. The MPs warned the PM that the cabinet lineup would be rejected if it isn’t changed to allow more power-sharing by Somalia’s powerful clans.

The prime minister is expected to present his proposed cabinet to parliament for approval this week.

However, Senator Farole opposed the MPs’ decision and stated the PM is mandated to nominate ministers based on their competence and experience, not by their clan affiliation or clan's power-sharing agreement according to the constitution.

Farole warned the Federal Parliament of installing political turmoil as the new government aiming to assert itself in this long-chaotic country after the election of the new President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed last month. He stated the Upper House is mandated to intervene if deadlock continued to vote for the new cabinet. 

He appealed to the MPs to firstly assess the new cabinet ministers after endorsement and review their achievements. 

This coincides following similar call by the Speaker of the Upper House recently who called the Lower House lawmakers to endorse the new cabinet ministers.

GAROWEONLINE