Opposition alliance warns MPs against Farmaajo’s term extension

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The opposition alliance National Salvation Forum has warned the Lower House against any attempts to extend the term of outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo noting such a move could further destabilise the country.

The Forum which brings together 15 presidential candidates, the Jubbaland-Puntland axis and Somaliland pro-union leaders said in a statement the terms of both parliament and Farmaajo had lapsed and attempts to hand Farmaajo more time in office must be resited.

“Prolongation is a stepping stone to dictatorship, disrupting efforts to hold elections, and undermining the peace, democracy and state-building process in Somalia,” the NSF said.

The Forum also condemned Lower House speaker Mohamed Mursal for suspending 15 opposition MPs from the chamber and allowing security forces entry into the House.

The statement comes amid heightened tension in the city as security forces seal off major roads ahead of today’s Lower House session.

The opposition has expressed fears that pro-government MPs will be sneaking in a motion to extend Farmaajo’s term.