Lower House resolution illegal and threat to stability-Senate

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Upper House of the Federal Parliament has dismissed the unilateral resolution passed by the Lower House Monday as illegal and a threat to the country’s stability and security.

In a swift rejoinder following the passage of the resolution by the 275 member chamber, Senate speaker Abdi Hashi said his counterparts in the Lower House did not have the authority and power to conduct such a business since the ‘term of the Federal Parliament ended’.

Noting that the MPs no longer had any legitimacy, Hashi said, “It is forbidden for any person or section of the society to claim the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia or to use it privately.”

He added that only the Federal Government and the Federal Member States can negotiate the electoral deal given the prevailing situation in the country. “According to the above article (Art 1 of the Provisional Constitution), if the term of the government ends without a constitutional electoral system or another acceptable form of political agreement, the power to negotiate the electoral process includes dialogue between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States.

The Senate speaker who has been at loggerheads with outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo called on the international community and Somalis of goodwill to intervene and prevent the country from sinking into instability.

The resolution which was immediately welcomed by Farmaajo called for elections to be held in two years time effectively extending Farmaajo’s stay in office.

There was no immediate response from the international community.