Mogadishu (WDN) On Thursday 14 April, a milestone has taken place in Somalia’s chaotic and polarized politics, where the 11th Federal Parliament were sworn at a ceremony held in Mogadishu. This brings to a close a long-delayed and tortuous process which has been dragging since the 17 September 2020 agreement, that called for an indirect election.
Once the swearing process comes to a close, this will be followed by the presidential election in which the President will be elected by two-thirds majority by the 329 members of both houses of Somalia’s 11th parliament (275 in the Peoples lower House and 54 Senators in the Upper House).
The holding of the indirect election has been bogged down from the outset by endless squabbles among the competing political class and unfettered corruption which Somalis have come to describe not so much as election but a nomination marred with corruption and abuse of power by the leaders of Villa Somalia and Federal Member States. The daily squalid spectacle of a corrupt process of selecting MPs and the successive delays have disillusioned the Somali public, who were hoping this election will move the nation forward.
Prior to the swearing of MPs at the ceremony held in Mogadishu, certificates were given to 293 MPs, that comprised 50 Senator in the Upper House and 243 in the Lower House).
According to WardheerNews tallies, the total number of MPs who attended the swearing ceremony held Afisiyooni numbered 290 (50 Senators in the Upper House and 240 MPs in Lower House).
In the meantime, both Houses have chosen their provisional Chairpersons. It is expected they will also have special sessions on Saturday 16 April to deliberate the election of their respective Chairpersons no later than the end of April.
What remains are the selection of MPs to the Lower House from the Gedo Region, and Middle Shabelle which are expected to be done again before the end of April.
All this will be followed by the election of the President which is expected to take place during
1 -14 May. Aaccording to sources WardheerNews contacted, the date 17 May has been noted as the deadline for the election of the President due to pressure from Somalia´s international partners.
If nothing else, Somalia´s indirect election will go down in history not only as the longest to take place but also as one that made a mockery of the whole purpose of an election. It has done so much damage and it remains to be seen what good comes of it, but sure soon Somalia will have a new government.
WardheerNews