Saturday 2,Nov, 2024 {HMC} Somalia’s Parliament approved a one-month extension of its current session on Saturday, following President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed’s request to delay the lawmakers’ recess in order to address pressing election laws.
The Parliament was initially set to begin its break on November 6, but lawmakers will now remain in session until early December.
In his address to Parliament, President Mohamud underscored the urgency of reviewing and passing essential laws and agreements that require parliamentary approval.
“The Somali people need help from the lawmakers in this house. It’s not about personal interests, but about shaping the future for the next generation,” he emphasized.
The National Consultative Council (NCC) agreement, endorsed on Wednesday by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the mayor of Mogadishu, and three regional leaders, established a roadmap for elections.
Local, regional, and municipal elections are set for June 2025, with parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for September 2025.
The NCC also called for the creation of a National Independent Electoral Commission to oversee the electoral process.
Despite recent reforms, including initiatives for universal suffrage, the NCC timetable has faced opposition from some groups.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe have expressed concerns about the election schedule, adding tension to the ongoing deliberations.
The extended parliamentary session aims to resolve these critical issues, providing the necessary legislative endorsement for the NCC’s roadmap and reinforcing Somalia’s commitment to transparent and timely elections.
