Somalia takes first step toward new government after long delay

Somalia's newly elected lawmakers place their hands on copies of the Koran as they are sworn in to office at the Afisyoni election hall in Mogadishu, Somalia, April 14, 2022. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After several months of waiting, Somalia ushered in new Members of Parliament, effectively paving way for the election of the president, over a year after the term of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo expired.

Farmaajo, who first took over in 2017, was supposed to face re-election in February 2021, but the country was unable to hold elections at that particular time due to internal wrangles pitting the opposition and government, and at times inter-executive squabbles.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has been at loggerheads with President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo over elections, with the former accusing the latter of committing illegalities. The two have not been seeing each other eye to eye for months.

But the stalemate seems to have been unlocked when Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed swore in new lawmakers, passing a significant hurdle. The parliament is expected to start the process to elect a new speaker in the coming days.

Over 300 legislators took the oath of office in Afisiyoni tent within the heavily fortified Halane Base Camp, with the remaining legislators especially in HirShabelle and Jubaland set to be elected in the coming days.

All 54 senators took oath along with over 246 Lower House members. Conspicuously missing from the swearing-in exercise was ex-spy chief Fahad Yasin, whose victory was blocked by FEIT, but he has since moved to Supreme Court.

The latest development which triggers new dawn in the federal republic of Somalia has been welcomed by a number of stakeholders, including members of the international community and outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

"President Farmaajo congratulates Members of both Houses of Federal Parliament for taking the historic oath. The President wished them success as they start serving Somalia to fulfill their mandate and commended the FMS Leadership for completing the election in line with the 17/9 agreement," a statement by Villa Somalia reads.

The international community also hauled the country for making the achievement, adding that it was pleased since the new parliament is in place. It also strongly condemned an attempt by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists to initiate an attack near the swearing-in place.

"We strongly condemn the mortar attack, claimed by al-Shabaab, that occurred earlier in the day near the location of the swearing-in ceremony," reads the statement. "We look forward to the rapid completion of the remaining stages of the electoral process, notably the election of the parliamentary leadership and then the President. "

Further, the stakeholders expressed optimism that the remaining seats will be filled soonest to allow the country to walk a new path. On Thursday, FEIT indicated that Elections in Garbaharey in Gedo have been moved to El-Wak for security reasons.

"We note that there remain some unfilled parliamentary seats and understand that, as these are decided, additional members may be sworn in and join the process as it progresses," the statement noted. "Partners again call on Somali leaders to reduce political tensions, respect the human rights and freedoms of Somali citizens, and conclude the electoral process quickly, peacefully, and credibly."

The House now embarks on elections of new speakers of the bicameral legislature before electing the president. Ex-Speaker Aden Madobe, Ambassador Ali Said Fiqi, Sharif Abdalla, and Hassan Abdinur have all been mentioned as potential candidates.

GAROWE ONLINE