Somalia: Farole urges inclusive parliamentary selection process

GAROWE, Somalia-Somalia Presidential candidate and former President of Puntland Abdirahman Mohamed Farole has called for inclusive parliamentary selection process ahead of election slated to be held later this year, Garowe Online reports.

In a media briefing in Garowe, Farole has also cautioned against possible role by some candidates in the selection of MPs for the federal parliament.

“The message I convey to the public is, there are presidential contenders who want to exploit selection of parliamentarians for national assembly since we have again been stuck in 4.5 clan-based system,” said Farole, recalling that Somali people and international community expressed dissatisfaction with the lawmakers picked by 135-member council of elders during 2012 presidential election.

Farole stressed the need for more transparent selection process given the history of manipulation that marred indirect 2012 poll staged for the first time in Mogadishu.

He added that his presidential bid has bounds when it comes to picking members of parliament.

Emphasizing hope in the restoration of dignity and Somalia’s heyday, he continued: “Today, I tell Somali people that everything is begun at grass-roots level. We are at the crossroads to elect more representative people who will take us forward in very governance under effective leadership to parliament.”

Farole has concluded, urging upcoming parliamentarians to vote in favor of national interests at this critical time.

Former Puntland president announced his candidacy for Somalia President in 2016 election on April 4.

GAROWEONLINE