Former President Mohamud to exit Villa Somalia today as Farmaajo takes over

Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will formally exit Villa Somalia today to pave way for the new President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo who will be inaugurated next week.

Villa Somalia director Shadoor Haji Shadoor told Goobjoog News plans have been finalized for the official hand over of instruments of power and all facilities at the Presidential palace to the new president.

“The former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will hand over all the instruments of power, documents and anything else belonging to the state to the new president,” said Shadoor.

A small ceremony will take place at the palace witnessed by among others senior government officials. The two leaders met this week to plan for the hand over.

It is not clear how the outgoing president will be compensated by the state since there is no law in place which outlines the retirement plan for presidents or prime ministers.

Lawmaker Dahir Amin Jeeso says Parliament has not passed any law dealing with the welfare of state officers like the president upon retirement. “There is however a plan which every administration puts in place but at very informal level to secure the president’s retirement. It is normally at the wish of the incoming administration,” said Jeeso.

The State Officers Emoluments Bill which came to the floor of the House in November 2015 failed to proceed into law dusting any hopes of President Mohamud’s state protection and compensation upon end of service.

If passed, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud would have received 70% of his salary for a lifetime, a house with elite security units, first class tickets for official trips abroad among other benefits.