Somalia's Galmudug parliament extends president's term by 1 more year

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Galmadug President Ahmed Kaliye alias Qoor-Qoor has extended his term by one more year, becoming the latest regional leader to take the approach even as Somalia struggles with insecurity and a severe drought.

On Tuesday, 56 regional legislators approved his quest to stay in the office for five years. The regional president was first elected in February 2021 and was supposed to serve for our years in accordance with the constitution of the country, but this gives loopholes for an extension.

He becomes 4th Federal Member States leader to extend his term after Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe [Jubaland], Abdiaziz Lafta-Garen [Southwest], and Ali Gudlawe of HirShabelle. The regional leaders are important in developing the country which adopted federalism.

The decision to extend the term comes just a day after all Federal Member States leaders held a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, which was meant to solve a number of issues. Among others, federal states leaders have questioned the formula used to disburse funds.

Ministers of finances from the federal states have previously questioned the formula, arguing that the central government had violated previous agreements on sharing of resources. The teams agreed to work together for the sake of stability of the Horn of Africa nation.

Additionally, the move also comes at a time Somalia is battling terrorism, with Al-Shabaab controlling huge swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. The overwhelmed Somalia National Army has been seeking help from local militia to fight the group.

For almost three decades, Somalia has been operating without a solid government and constitution, making it easy for leaders to avoid accountability. The country is using a transitional constitution which is yet to be reviewed.

GAROWE ONLINE