MAJOR LEAP: New lawmakers to be sworn-in today after torturous 8 months long poll

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The newly elected MPs and Senators will take the oath of office today marking a major milestone in one of the longest electoral exercises in the country’s history raising the prospects of a new president soon.

Over 200 legislators are this morning trooping to General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu for the swearing-in ceremony. As of April 11, up to 206 MPs and Senators had received their certificates from the Federal Elections Indirect Team (FEIT).

Lower House Secretary-General Abdikarim Hali Buuh and his Senate counterpart Ali Mohamed Jama sent texts to the newly elected lawmakers Wednesday night urging them to present themselves at the police academy for the swearing-in ceremony.

Most of the lawmakers who had not picked their certificates are from South West state but are expected to do so from today following a deal between the electoral body and South-West state leader Abdiasis Lafta Gareen over the three seats from the state which were locked out.

Sources indicated that the two sides agreed to clear two MPs and conduct a fresh poll for the third seat won by Sareedo Abdalla against Fardawso Ibrahim Abdi. The seat was contested after reports emerged that Fardawso was an underage candidate.

The Baidoa deal now leaves one seat in HirShabelle-that won by former spy chief Fahad Yahad on the balance. HirShabelle President Ali Gudlawe has demanded that Yasin too be cleared but there have been no formal talks with FEIT.

Meanwhile, there is no break-through yet on the fate of the 16 seats in Gerbaharey as Ahmed Madobe (Jubaland leader) and outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo maintain their positions on the location of the elections. Farmaajo has insisted the exercise must take place in Gerbaharey while Madobe, who argues his rival aims to influence the process if held in Gerbaharey has stood ground against the venue.

Sources have indicated Madobe is considering Mogadishu where the ‘international community can have access to’.

In HirShabelle, elections for the remaining seven seats are still ongoing. Two more MPs are expected to be elected today.

A joint session of the Federal Parliament will subsequently elect a new President.