Somalia’s first deputy Speaker Abdiweli Sheikh Ibrahim Mudey was
December 14, 2011 blocked from entering Parliament, a day after Speaker
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden (pictured) was replaced. FILE
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
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.Mr Mudey, accompanied by his bodyguards had tried to enter
Somalia Transitional Federal Government Parliament by force but was
turned away.
Mr Mudey had refused to chair a parliamentary session on Tuesday, which saw Sheikh Aden being removed as Speaker.
Two hundred and eighty MPs voted for the removal of the Speaker in Mogadishu while two supported him. One MP abstained.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
"Two hundred and seventy-six MPs are required to vote against the Speaker. On Tuesday 280 voted against him," Mr Ashareh said.
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.
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.
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.
For the past seven months, a constitutional crisis
due to power struggle have hampered the activities of the Transitional
Federal Government.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon advised Somali leaders to
work harmoniously during the remaining when he visited Mogadishu last
week.
The replaced Speaker is yet to respond on his removal.