MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somali opposition MPs have put forward a no-confidence vote against the deputy speaker of parliament Sa’diya Samatar, weeks after her remarks on a controversial sex offenses bill sparked public outrage, Caasimada Online news website reported on Sunday.
A Somali MP told media on Saturday that the parliamentarians will not accept Sa’adiya to continue chairing parliament meetings, accusing her of violating Islamic Sharia. He added that a scheduled parliament session was called off after the majority of MPs refused to attend the meeting chaired by the deputy speaker.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose government continues an offensive against Al-Shabaab, earlier urged the parliament leadership to halt motions that could spark internal political strife.
A pro-government religious scholar Sheikh Somow told Universal TV on Sunday that the no-confidence motion could give militants a chance to reverse recent military gains by the army, distracting the current administration from the ongoing fight against the insurgent group Al-Shabaab.
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