We have no time for politics, warns President as lawmakers push impeachment bid

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has poured cold water on impeachment claims noting that parliament had more important national issues to deal with.

The president said though parliament had the constitutional mandate to support national duties and that government was bound to respect the law making body, it is wise that parliament does not use its powers to undermine national interests and the tasks ahead of nation building.

Noting the immense contribution of parliament and constitutional institutions towards progress in the country, the president said time was on essence to complete the remaining work before the end of the current government in August 2016.

“We have a very limited time in hands, and as we know the parliament and the government have huge tasks to accomplish, to ensure smooth achievement of Vision 2016. The limited time we have, does not allow us to engage in disputes and unnecessary issues against the interest of our nation,” said the president.

Opposition call

The president’s comments come a day the opposition is ratcheting up its quest for impeachment of the president for what they say is gross violation of the constitution.

Opposition group, Forum for Unity and Democracy in a statement today asked the president not to interfere with the process but instead resign to ‘save the nation from political dissolution and state collapse’.

The president has however reiterated that his administration had made significant progress towards federalization with new interim administrations now in place, adding the government was now working towards creation of a new regional administration for Middle Shabeelle and Hiiraan regions.

“The international community is fully supporting the national building activities that we are undertaking. We succeeded in federalizing the country. There are other tangible progresses made on politics, security and providing of basic social services,” said the president.

Vision 2016

In their memorandum to the speaker in their bid to impeach the president, the pro-impeachment lawmakers accused the president of deliberately frustrating efforts for a universal vote in 2016 and compromising the independence of independent constitutional bodies.

However the president has dismissed these claims saying his government is determined to ensuring an acceptable formula for 2016 while sticking to August 2016 as earlier warned by the UN Security Council.

’In accordance with our commitment and UNSC resolution I would like to reiterate that we are determined not to have an extension, but will work to have in place an inclusive process to agree on the model for the electoral process and ensuring that the National Independent Electoral Commission and Boundaries and Federation Committee are operational without further delay,” added the president.