Somalia president Hassan Sheikh meets ex-leaders

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held meetings with former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ex-premier Hassan Ali Khaire, as he seeks to push for radical Constitutional changes in the leadership model in the country.

Hassan Sheikh has supported changes proposing a change of the current parliamentary model to a presidential system, a move which has been opposed by a section of political grouping in the Horn of Africa nation.

Sources say as he launched an effort to push for change to the country's current political system after an agreement between FGS and 4 FMS signed in May this year providing for the introduction of direct universal suffrage from 2024 and the transition to a presidential system.

The proposals which are yet to be sanctioned by the legislature, endorsed the introduction of a presidential system in which each candidate is required to have a running mate who will deputise him or her. Also, the model, if accepted, will see scrapping of the position of prime minister.

Hassan Sheikh pledged to push for radical constitutional changes in the country besides fighting terrorism and clan politics. So far, he has managed to thwart Al-Shabaab's threat, with the national army leading a charm offensive against the group.

For the last 12 months, over 3000 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the country, with the second phase of operations against the group set to commence soon in Jubaland and Southwest states.

The government of Somalia has also made strides in reviving the economy which has been in shambles for decades. Recently, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have approved debt relief for the country, a key milestone in economic redemption.

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