By: Ollus Ndomu
Somali’s outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has assaulted the country’s hard earned, fragile democracy by extending his term of office unconstitutionally. On Monday, April 12, 2021, two houses of parliament clashed on the status of the presidency with the lower house voting unanimously to extend the term of the president and his government by two years, a move the upper house described as unconstitutional.
The special parliamentary session in which 149 MPs voted in favour of the extension, with only three opposing, came days after the collapse of the most anticipated election talks that left political leaders in blame games. According to the Voice of America, the upper house of parliament objected to the extension with the speaker saying the move by the lower house lacks a constitutional basis.
Speaking at a press briefing in the capital, Mogadishu, shortly after the illegal government mandate extension, the Opposition Candidates Ally called on the citizens to demand their voice be heard by taking to the streets adding that it is up to the Somali people to join in hands to stay true to their future.
The opposition further urged troops manning streets to focus on their duties and stay away from politics.
“Anyone who is determined to lead this nation must be democratically elected to stay in power and that is what we individually happened to rule this country,” Sharif Sheikh said while speaking to the outgoing President.
Amidst local and international condemnation, Farmaajo has assented to a new bill, irreversibly extending his rule against the will of the majority.
Farmaajo’s term of office expired this year on February 8 but polls could not because of disputes between political leaders on who would control the electoral process.
Dahir Mohamud Gelle, former Information Minister and now presidential hopeful has accused the outgoing President who no longer has recognition in Jubbaland, Puntland and other key states, of being a spoiler adding that his presidency epitomizes instability and political uncertainty.
“It goes without saying that the outgoing President will never stay in power through the barrel of the guns,” Gelle said, highlighting that the incumbent has refused almost every suggestion and recommendation made in the process of building political stability, Keymedia.
He still believes a stable political environment is possible by holding fast to the country’s constitution:
“The only way forward from the current political stalemate and deadlock surrounding holding peaceful election based on inclusiveness is to adhere to the constitution and lead by example, and that seems to bother him because it can be deadly to compete with him in such a way that he spares no one; that is the Farmaajo who is determined to conquer this nation by force.”
In a statement released Friday, the U.S. state department says a two-year illegal term extension undermines peace and stability in Somalia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Farmaajo’s term extension will compel the United States to reconsider bilateral relations with his government, including diplomatic engagement and assistance.
“We have also made clear that the US does not support mandate extensions without broad support from Somali political stakeholders,” said Blinken, urging an urgent return to the talks.
The now illegal Farmaajo regime is grappling with rising pressure with international partners threatening to withdraw all support which Somalia largely depends on.
Somalia’s fate is going out of its citizens who have little to no say on the peaceful transfer of power as many are losing faith in governance and politics remain a preserve for elite groups.
