Extension of president’s term ‘to blame for crisis’

Somalia MPs on Sunday attributed the worsening security situation in the country to a move to extend the term of the Transitional Federal Government president by a year.

MPs meeting in Nairobi said the move sparked protests in the capital, Mogadishu.

“The agreement reached in Somalia between the President and Parliament Speaker sparked an outcry with the two being labelled traitors,” MP Awad Ahmed Ashareh told journalists at Chester House.

The MPs said the agreement reached in a UN meeting in Kampala was an opportunity for al Shabaab militants to launch intensified suicide attacks, which led to the death of Somali’s Internal Security minister on Friday.

“The al Shabaab who had been defeated in Mogadishu took advantage of the uprising and unhappiness of the people to launch the attacks,” Mr Ashareh said.

Mr Ashareh said more than 200 Somali MPs want parliamentary sessions re-opened to discuss the volatile situation.

“We want the Prime Minister to submit the agreement reached in Kampala to Parliament for debate.

“Legal experts have indicated the agreement denies Parliament its oversight role, prevents motions from being brought against the Speaker and the President and silences the mass media,” Mr Ashareh said.

A number of people have been killed following protests against the deal to extend the mandate of Somali’s president and Parliament.

The protests pit supporters of the prime minister, who must resign under the terms in the deal and those of the President and the Speaker.

On Thursday, President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the speaker signed a deal extending their terms for a year.

President Sharif had previously called for the extension, saying Somalia was too unstable for elections as it battles militants.