MOGADISHU [SMN] – Somali lawmakers gathered at Villa Hargeisa on Saturday to debate the amendments to the draft constitution which has caused a lot of talk in Somalia.
MP Abdullahi Abshirow, the second deputy chairman of the House of the People, presided over the session on the motion that divided the members of the Somali parliament into two parties, some opposed and others support it.
“This motion is not timely, it should have been brought in the previous session, so I hope that the MPs will be satisfied with the debate on it,” he said during his opening remarks.
MP Hassan Abdi Ismail (Firinbi) described the motion to amend the constitution as illegal and called for the removal of the ambition to extend the term of the government from the house’s court.
MP Abdulkadir Cosoble Ali said that this motion is a prelude to steps that are intended to weaken the MPs and make them want more time to hold their seats beyond their 4 year-term.
“The motion includes some phrases that derail the war on Al-Shabaab and it should be canceled thoroughly,” said Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, the president’s drought envoy.
Lawmaker Abdifitah Qasim, who also served as deputy defense minister welcomed the amendment, and argues that the extension of the government mandate to five years will help the current leaders to hold a direct vote in the country.
