Hawiye clan opposes Farmajo's "illegal" term extension

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Hawiye clan opposes Farmajo's "illegal" term extension

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Traditional elders, intellectuals and politicians hailing from Hawiye clan have opposed Farmajo's term extension endorsed by over 100 MPs who are loyal to the government, saying the President and the Lower House of Pa

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MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Traditional elders, intellectuals and politicians hailing from Hawiye clan have opposed Farmajo's term extension endorsed by over 100 MPs who are loyal to the government, saying the President and the Lower House of Parliament will be held responsible for the consequences of the illegal extension.

On 12th of this month, Somalia’s Lower House parliament had passed a resolution to extend the term of president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and the parliament. A day later, the resolution was signed into law by President Farmajo whose mandate lapsed last February.

In a communique issued on Tuesday after the conclusion two-day meeting which convened 400 powerful members of the clan including two former presidents, a former prime minister, lawmakers and clan members, the clan called for an immediate meeting between the Federal Member States and political stakeholders.

"We call on Farmajo to immediately retract the illegal term extension for both the Parliament and President. We have to block every effort to cement the term extension,” the communique reads in part. "We call the Somali people to reject this illegal term extension and be united in defending the existing policy of going to the polls every four years. Elections form the basis of nation-building and democratic values.”

The meeting called on Farmajo’s administration to hold talks with regional states to end the current political crisis in the country barely two weeks after the electoral talks between Somali leaders failed.

"Return to the September 17 agreement, as it is the best path to elections. We call for an immediate meeting between the Federal Member States and political stakeholders without being constrained by the President's attendance, who's expressed that he is not interested in holding an election,” the clan demanded.

The clan vowed that they would take action against Farmajo if the harassment of Hawiye politicians continues.

According to the communique, the clan warned Somali forces and African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops against involving in politics and implementing Farmajo’s plan to harass the public.

"We are calling on members of the Somali National Army not to be a part of politics. We explicitly warn the Chief of the Armed Forces, The Police Chief, who is currently busy implementing the extension,” the communique warned. "This forum would like to inform the AMISOM peacekeeping mission to be mindful that the ex-President's term has expired, who is engaged in inciting discord and violence.”