Somalia: Mursal suspends 15 MPs amid plot to extend Farmajo's term

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Mohamed Mursal, the speaker of the Lower House, on Saturday suspended 15 MPs mostly allied to the opposition for five sessions, something which has activated a political storm in the country, which is also trying to solve a pre-election crisis.

Mursal said the MPs were behind riots in the assembly in the stormy session on Saturday, which w triggered by suspicions that legislators allied to the outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were keen to illegally extend the government's term.

During the chaotic session, MPs shouted down the speaker at the onset of proceedings claiming the session was aimed at casting a vote on term extension for President Mohamed Farmaajo.

They also accused Mursal of allowing the army into the chamber to violate the procedures and laws that protect lawmakers from such interference.

Abdirizak Omar, an MP who was among the more than dozen banned by the speaker, said that he enjoys parliamentary immunity while sitting as a house member.

"The speaker has no respect for the rule of law and is abusing the entrusted authority to act as an arbiter. Members of Parliament have immunity from any disciplinary action while in the house. In the event of a disruption in the house, the speaker can close the session as per article 16(4)."

The MP added that Mursal was outside his legal authority to issue punitive actions.

"He has no authority to discipline MPs. None of the articles of the house rules and procedure he referenced to sanction 15 MPs, including myself, give him the authority to discipline MPs.This is pure abuse of power and we won't abide by such illegality as members of the legislature."

Mursal told MPs that the session was called to discuss COVID-19 while many opposition MPs suspected the hidden agenda was to vote on term extension for President Farmajo, whose constitutional mandate expired on February 8.

Hassan Abdi Ismail said that he had not received the official agenda, which should have been delivered 24 hours before the MPs took their seats.

Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsane, the leader of the Wadajir party, faulted the speaker for the decision, adding that the House Speaker has also been using security officers to intimidate lawmakers in the country.

"Farmajo is premiering for election day. The fact that he prevented MPs from entering parliament buildings by using the army is an indication that the MPs will be denied to have access to the presidential candidates and the latter will have tanks in front of their campaign centers."

GAROWE ONLINE