Somalia: MP dies in Mogadishu after battling kidney failure

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A Member of Somali Parliament died in a Mogadishu hospital after battling kidney failure for a couple of months, a number of his colleagues revealed, amid ongoing changes in the country's fundamental election laws.

Aden Hassan Ali died on Friday night with close sources saying that he was also diabetic and had been admitted to various health facilities in Somalia, before losing the fight under the watch of his family and friends.

Under the current dispensation, Hassan Ali was representing HirShabelle state in the national assembly. The constitution allows states to choose legislators who represent their interests at the national level.

In parliament, the MP served in the crucial Finance committee, which has played a fundamental role in reforming the financial sector, paving way for ongoing agitation for debt relief in Somalia.

For instance, last month, Paris Club Creditors wrote off Somalia's $1.7 billion debt, with World Bank and International Monetary Fund [IMF] also clearing the country for Highly Indebted Poor Countries [HIPC], another significant milestone towards being pardoned for it's Sh5.2 billion.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo hailed the MP as a "true" patriot to Somalia, adding that his death is a "huge loss" to the people of Somalia at large in his statement issued on Saturday.

"We have lost a true patriot and servant for the people of Somalia. He was determined to serve the nation with integrity, honesty and high dignity," the president said in the statement.

Also mourning the deceased legislator was speaker of the Lower House and Somalia's Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who termed him as a "diligent" leader who cherished "unity" and cohesiveness in Somalia.

Khaire, who was elected in 2017, said: "It's s tragic loss for all of us. We've been working closely with him as governor and this is just a bad loss. I wish the family and the entire nation all the best as we mourn him."

The MP's death comes just at the time Somalia is also grappling with the Coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed the lives of seven people who 135 people have been hospitalized.

One of the victims was also a state minister and MP in HirShabelle. Khalif Mumin Tohow succumbed to the virus last week, forcing authorities to put a host of people in self-quarantine.

In December, Somalia is expected to hold first-ever universal suffrage polls, a move that has triggered ongoing changes in the law, including the recently enacted controversial electoral law.

GAROWE ONLINE