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<\/a><\/p>\nLucas Barasa<\/p>\n
14 December 2011<\/p>\n
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Somalia’s first deputy Speaker Abdiweli Sheikh Ibrahim Mudey was Wednesday blocked from entering Parliament, a day after Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden was replaced.<\/p>\n
Mr Mudey, accompanied by his bodyguards had tried to enter Somalia Transitional Federal Government Parliament by force but was turned away.<\/p>\n
Mr Mudey had refused to chair a parliamentary session on Tuesday, which saw Sheikh Aden being removed as Speaker.<\/p>\n
Two hundred and eighty MPs voted for the removal of the Speaker in Mogadishu while two supported him. One MP abstained.<\/p>\n
MP Awad Ahmed Ashareh told the Nation by phone MP Madobe Nunow was appointed interim Speaker for 30 days until a new Speaker is elected as per the Transitional Federal Government charter and parliamentary rules.<\/p>\n
The MPs accused Sheikh Aden of making unilateral decisions, failing to recognise separation of powers, failing to develop plan for Parliament’s work and reopening it and lack of transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n
Critics questioned the legality of a meeting that was not chaired by the speaker or his deputies and had the presence of 283 MPs out of a total 550 legislators.<\/p>\n
But Mr Ashareh said the charter says a senior MP or another chosen by members have right to chair in the absence of the Speaker or his deputies.<\/p>\n
“In case a motion is brought forward against the speaker he has to vacate and allow his deputy to chair. But if the deputy refuses or a motion is brought against him a senior most MP or one selected by members chairs,” Mr Ashareh said.<\/p>\n
Mr Ashareh said 158 MPs filed a motion against Sheikh Aden more than the required 127. Fifty percent plus one of the 550 MPs are required to vote against the Speaker for the motion to succeed.<\/p>\n
“Two hundred and seventy-six MPs are required to vote against the Speaker. On Tuesday 280 voted against him,” Mr Ashareh said.<\/p>\n
Mr Ashareh said Parliament is expected to continue its sitting today agree on formation of a committee on election of new Speaker within 30 days, discuss the road map to peace and stability on Somalia, initiate bills for passage and play its security and legal roles.<\/p>\n
Functions of Somalia’s Parliament includes election of President, election of Speaker and his deputies, to legislate, to debate, discuss and approve the country’s budget and to introduce and make standing orders of Parliament.<\/p>\n
It is further supposed to make public hearings, to verify international conventions, treaties and agreements and to investigate issues of public interests and generate motions.<\/p>\n
For the past seven months, a constitutional crisis due to power struggle have hampered the activities of the Transitional Federal Government.<\/p>\n
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon advised Somali leaders to work harmoniously during the remaining when he visited Mogadishu last week.<\/p>\n
The replaced Speaker is yet to respond on his removal.<\/p>\n
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