MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s parliament has extended the validity of MPs IDs for a period of one year, after the legislative body’s term expired on Sunday amid heightened deadlock over upcoming elections.
Somali MPs who have spoken to Somaliguardian said the parliament had extended their IDs until December 27 2020 to continue working until 11th parliament is sworn in.
This has come after dispute over the composition of government-appointed electoral board delayed elections with only 42 days remaining the tenure of the incumbent leader Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
Puntland, Jubaland and opposition leaders have accused the federal government of reneging on a previous deal with regional states by stacking the electoral commission with intelligence agents, state employees and popular supporters of President Farmajo.
Somalia’s parliament speaker Mohamed Mursal had earlier announced that MPs will continue working, even if their terms expire, until 11th parliament is sworn in.
It’s unclear if the MPs will finally vote to extend their mandate despite efforts by the opposition to hold a parallel election, a prospect the international community warns might plunge the country into chaos and unrest.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
