Somalia: Jubaland MPs unveiled after two years
KISMAYO, Somalia, April 15, 2015 (Garowe Online)-75-seat-chamber of parliament has on Wednesday afternoon been unveiled in the southern port city of Kismayo two years after the election of Jubaland leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), Garowe Online reports.
The MPs lineup was revealed in a well-organized event held at Kismayo presidential palace, and attended by state’s political leadership and clan elders.
Jubaland parliamentarians elected former Federal MP Sheikh Abdi Yusuf as interim speaker following a brief voting that brought three contestants together.
Officials told GO that 75 MPs were sworn-in in the presence of Jubaland Vice Presidents Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael (Fartag) and Abdulkadir Haji Mohamed (Lugadere).
The move marks a milestone in the completion of Jubaland state building process.Nevertheless, clans hit the airwave with dissatisfaction with what they described 'manipulatuion' of selection process.
Despite stiff opposition by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, convention delegates picked Madobe whose tenure of office is fading for Jubaland presidency on May 15, 2013.
Jubaland which shares a porous border with neighboring Kenya gained its recognition from Mogadishu-based Federal Government in August 2013 as a result of IGAD-brokered talks in Addis Ababa.
GAROWE ONLINE