The Union of Candidates has strongly rejected the extension of the term of the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, calling on the international community to take action against individuals who threaten the stability of Somalia.
A statement from the Union of Candidates said the country’s constitution and the decision of both houses of parliament had been violated by a small group led by the outgoing Somali president and the speaker of the house of the People parliament.
Read below the statement of the Union of Candidates on the decision of the House of the People and the current political situation in Somalia.
In a statement issued yesterday, The Union of Candidates castigated the move by the House of the People speaker which they said was unconstitutional and vowed to reject it.
“The Union of Candidates strongly rejects today’s unconstitutional extension of the term of the Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament. Article 60 of the Constitution provides that the term of office of the Parliament is four years from the date of swearing in”, said the statement.
Before the end of their terms, the two Houses of Parliament jointly ratified the September 7 election agreement between the Heads of State and Government of the outgoing Federal Government.
“The Union of Candidates declares that the constitution and the decision of both Houses of Parliament have been violated by a small group led by the outgoing President and Speaker of the House of the People,” The statement reads in part.
The Union of Candidates Council has however called on the Somali people to stand up in defense of their country and to prevent dictatorship from taking over the country.
The Council commended the action taken by the Banadir Regional Police Commander, General Sadaq Omar Hassan who rejected orders which could cause havoc in the country and its people.
“The council lauds General Sadaq Omar for his bravery and calls on other military officers and top senior police officers to emulate him in order to protect the country’s reputation and its democracy,” Said the statement.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
