The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has opposed the extension of the mandate of Somalia’s new parliament.
A brief tweet from Senator Bob Menendez, the Senate Foreign Relations Officer, said the move would hamper the process of seeking credible elections.
“Timely elections are an important pillar of a healthy democracy. “The plan is to violate the rules of democracy and threaten the stability of Somalia,” the statement said.
Senator Bob Menendez called on Stakeholders to reach an agreement and stop any attempt to undermine the dialogue which he said is the path to credible elections in Somalia.
The announcement comes as representatives of the international community have not yet commented on the House’s decision to extend the mandate of government agencies.
Somalia’s lower house of parliament voted on Monday to extend the president’s term by two years, a move slammed by Jubbaland and Puntland Federal Member States as well as the Somali union of candidates council.
149 legislators backed the proposal. The resolution also orders the election commission of Somalia to hold new elections in under two years.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
