(4 minutes read)
· Somalia’s president signed into law the extension of his government’s term for two more years, while the United States and others threatened sanctions on the country
· They warned that the action of the existing regime would lead to further instability in the country, which is known for its fragile nature of governance structure
· Leaders of the Senate, however, called the vote illegal. Somalia’s opposition parties also protested the manner in which the resolution was passed..
Somalia’s president signed into law the extension of his government’s term for two more years, while the United States and others threatened sanctions on the country. They warned that the action of the existing regime would lead to further instability in the country, which is known for its fragile nature of governance structure.
The country is presently facing an election crisis. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s time in office was over in February. But he refuses to hold the election on the plea that some provinces are trying to prolong the elections. The international community had objected to the extension of election. They are of the view that the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group could take advantage of the country’s heated political divisions.
The lower house of parliament this week voted to extend his mandate for two years while calling for direct elections during that time, as reported by www.trtendsnafrica.com yesterday. Leaders of the Senate, however, called the vote illegal. Somalia’s opposition parties also protested the manner in which the resolution was passed..
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed his deep anguish against the extension of the mandate in a statement issued. He also called on Somalia’s federal government and regional states to urgently return to talks on the election crisis. The European Union also expressed its concerns over the extension of mandate and the action, which it said, would divide Somalia. Britain also toed in line with the international sentiments and told Somalia to review its decision.
In response, Somalia’s foreign ministry accused countries asking forrol ling back of the resolution are in effect inciting the Somali people against their legitimate government and said that the country would reject any attempts to use humanitarian assistance to blackmail the country. Somalia relies heavily on outside aid to feed, shelter and care for a large population.
Somalia’s government has been unable for months to reach an agreement on how to carry out the election. The regional states of Puntland and Jubbaland objected to certain issues and the international community warning against holding a partial election. No one knows how long the impasse would continue. .
