Mursal defers House sitting amid fears over Farmaajo vote

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:  The Lower House session set for today has been put off under unclear circumstances amid speculations by the opposition that pro-government lawmakers intended to sneak in a motion to extend the term of outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo.

A communication to MPs seen by Goobjoog News from the speaker’s office indicated that the House will not be meeting today as planned. Sources have also told Goobjoog News the speaker Mohamed Mursal may have come under pressure to call off the session sanctioning him against any debate on Farmaajo’s term extension. The session resumes on March 31.

Chaos erupted on Saturday after some opposition MPs interrupted the session forcing Mursal to abruptly end proceedings. He went ahead to suspend 15 MPs from five sessions and dismissed the claims noting the only items on the order paper that day was a debate on COVID-19 and a vote on two new commissioners to the National Boundaries Commission.

According to some opposition lawmakers, the possibility of a motion extending Farmaajo’s stay in office was ‘very possible’. “Former PM Hassan Khaire was removed from office in a surprise vote which was not on the agenda that day,” one MP who did not want to be named said.

The international community has warned against term extension calling on the country’s leadership to set aside their differences and agree on an electoral roadmap.