Somalia: Parliament goes on two-month recess, ending 3rd session

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Lawmakers of the Lower House Chamber of the Federal Parliament went on a two-month recess on Tuesday, July 10, ending the legislative branch’s 3rd session, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement, Parliament speaker Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman has announced that the third session is formally closed, noting that the 275-member house is taking a break until 10th September.

The third session which has been inaugurated by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on March 10, 2018, in Mogadishu saw its biggest political gridlock over a no-confidence motion against its first speaker.

The closing came as the current speaker is in office for barely two months after succeeding Mohamed Osman Jawari who was forced to step down after a dispute with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.

Speaking to Garowe Online over the phone, some Parliamentarians said the national assembly has held the required gatherings during the ending 3d session since the resignation of former speaker last April.

In May, the MPs passed few bills, including a resolution barring the Dubai ports operator DP World from operating in Somalia for signing a deal to invest in Berbera port with the breakaway Somaliland region.

The tripartite contact which Ethiopia holds 19% stake has nullified by the Parliament. The move came amid diplomatic fall-out between Somalia’s Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates [UAE].

The members of the Parliament were expected to resume the sitting after the end of their Eid al-Fitr holiday, but it has been postponed to the closing date amid fear of motion against the Executive body.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, the speaker flew to Turkey for an unofficial visit. During his stay, according to the sources said Abdirahman met with politicians critical of the government led by President Farmajo.

GO has learned that the speaker has returned from Turkey with an idea to extend a hand of friendship to the opposition leaders and appoint them to positions in the government, a suggestion that was boycotted by the President and his PM.

GAROWE ONLINE