President Mohamud stripped of executive power as term expires

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will from now on not enjoy full executive powers as his constitutionally mandated tenure comes to a close September 10, the Presidency has said.

The Presidency said in a decree date September 6, 2016; the President will not execute any key functions including directly dealing with the military and sacking of government employees.

The decree noted the decision was in accordance with the Provisional Constitution and in agreement with the National Leadership Forum decision on August 9, 2016.

The government will also not incur any other expenses save for the 40% budget for the elections and any other expenses out of necessity.

The government of Somalia will also cease signing of any new contracts apart from already existing agreements. The government system and functioning will not be altered in any way, the decree read.

The NLF in August passed that the President will stay in office until the presidential elections are conducted in October 30, some 50 days after the end of the President’s term.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected in September 10, 2012 and inaugurated as president September 16 the same year.

The international community called on the NLF this week to set out clearly when the President’s mandate comes to a close. They proposed November 6 and that a moratorium comes into effect to ensure no major decisions are taken.

Parliament voted last month to also extend its stay in office until the new parliament is elected. Its term was to end on August 20, 2016.

President Mohamud is defending his seat in the October 30 poll in a tightly contested race which includes Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke among a host of other candidates.