Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — A controversial bill sponsored by Villa Somalia to amend the presidential term has reportedly been put on hold. A bill submitted nearly nine weeks ago to the bicameral legislature was aimed to make key changes to the executive and legislature terms of office. The bill faced a backlash from influential political leaders including the former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire.
“Villa Somalia realised that the bill is so unpopular as to further weaken the legitimacy of the Federal Government of Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told his allies to abandon the bill altogether” an MP who requested anonymity told Puntland Post.
The Villa Somalia occupant reckoned that term extensions and term changes in Galmudug, Southwest State and Jubaland could provide the incumbent President with an opportunity to push presidential term changes through the bicameral legislature. Mahdi Guled, an MP and former Deputy Prime Minister, was appointed to oversee the Villa Somalia-sponsored bill.
“The speaker of the Lower House Sheikh Adan Madobe, who brokered a deal between Villa Somalia and Southwest State, was content with the bill. He may urge his Secretariat to prepare the bill for discussions to intimidate the Villa Somalia. Villa Somalia does not want the bill to be discussed at either the Lower House or Upper House” added the MP.
© Puntland Post, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment.