• This comes after the parliament voted overwhelmingly to restore the September 17 Agreement as requested by President Farmaajo.
• Farmaajo’s term of four years came to end on February 8, 2021.
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Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has hinted the possibility of elections after an intense electoral gridlock since his term came to an end.
He spoke on Saturday during the special session held at the Parliament as they mark the Labour Day celebrations.
“I am honored to be at this special session today, May 1, 2021, to brief you on the latest development in the country, and in particular, on the sensitive issues affecting the country’s electoral process,” Farmajo said.
He said part of the process will include key election security arrangements to ensure elections take in a peaceful and stable atmosphere.
The president said that the past parliament's role was limited and largely excluded from participating in key decisions affecting the direction of our country.
“The Parliament that was here before you, was dissolved before the end of its term to consolidate power in the hands of a few.
Farmaajo said that during his tenure, he made it a priority to ensure that the legislature uses its constitutional power and takes a leading role in the governance of our republic.
This comes after the parliament voted overwhelmingly to restore the September 17 Agreement as requested by Farmaajo, and writing off the earlier extension of two years for Farmaajo in office.
The September 2020 agreement was meant to solve the electoral process to pick the new team.
Farmaajo had signed the controversial law that had been passed by the Lower House extending his mandate for another two years.
The State media reported that Farmaajo had signed the two-year term extension legislation without the approval of the Upper House of Parliament.
Farmaajo’s term of four years came to end on February 8, 2021.
In February, the government of Putland said that the ongoing electoral gridlock and political developments in Somalia were contributed by the lack of commitment from the Federal Government of Somalia.
Putland reaffirmed its commitment to finding peace and solutions based on the 2020 agreement.
In his address, Farmaajo lauded MPs for their selfless service to the country over the last four years.
He said the numerous laws that have been passed by the house remain the foundation of the country’s governance.
He also congratulated all the Somali workers marking International Labor Day, saying that they are the engine that powers all the achievements that have been made in recent years.