Presidential candidate Farole calls on Somalia's President to hand over power

Garowe, Puntland – Former Puntland President and Somalia Presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Farole on Saturday, has called on President of Somalia to step down from office as his term expired on 10 September, Garowe Online reports.

In a press conference held at his residence in Garowe, the regional capital of Puntland state, Farole lamented the constitutional crisis Somalia is facing as a new President of Somalia was not elected in 10 September according to the country’s constitution. 

“I call President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud to immediately hand over power to the Parliament leadership, his term has expired today. He is no longer the President, the Parliament leadership should assume power until new President is sworn in,” said Farole.

Farole described President Mahmoud four year term as a failure, for not upholding the constitution, empowering government institutions and completing the country’s federal process. 

“On 9th of August, the National Leadership Forum (NLF) unlawfully extended the term of the executive power disregarding the Legislative body and the country’s constitutional process. The NLF had no authority to amend constitution except drawing up an inclusive roadmap for the electoral process of the upcoming election, “added Farole.

Continuing, aspirant Farole said: “Article 91 of the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) stipulates the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall hold office for a term of four years, starting from the day he takes the oath. “Article 95 of the PFC too is relevant at the present time; If the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia falls vacant, the Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament shall act as President of the Federal Republic until such time as a new President of the Federal Republic is elected, within a maximum of thirty 30 days”.

The Presidential candidate has commended the press statement by leaders of the opposition parties and presidential candidates - Coalition for Change - in the capital Mogadishu, on Friday urging President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud to step down from office.   

“As election timeline approaches the NLF has failed again to move forward the electoral process for Parliamentary and Presidential elections. They have already delayed the election once, we will not accept another term extension or overcome the country’s constitution,” said Farole.

He also described the NLF decision to increase the Upper House’s members as a violation of the constitution. The candidate stressed the need to base seats either on Article 72 of Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) which states that the Upper House of Federal Parliament comprises 54 members based on 18 pre-war regions including Mogadishu, or Federal Member States having equal number of representatives without the size being inflated. 

During the press conference Farole has slammed Federal government for hosting IGAD summit, which had a damaging impact on the livelihood of residents in the capital Mogadishu. He called Somali government to have arranged the summit in a safer city, which had allowed residents to celebrate the upcoming Eid festivals.

The Presidential aspirant also has called for respect for the Law of the Land while urging the International community to stand neutral, effective and have responsible role in dealing with Somalia’s affairs.

The press conference comes amid growing opposition against President Mahmoud term extension. Federal government and parliament's term ended in August and September respectively and new lawmakers and President are due to be chosen in the same month.

GAROWE ONLINE