Mogadishu-Somali lawmakers unanimously voted to revoke the two-year presidential extension approved last month after a clash in the capital Mogadishu between factions of security forces split over the matter.
In a post-voting speech in the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble ordered the army to return to the barracks and urged politicians not to incite violence.
The political crisis raised concerns that al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terrorists could exploit the security void if the National Guard split along the lines of the clan and turned on each other. The group hijacked at least one Somali town last week as heavily armed fighters moved from the countryside to the capital.
Attempts to extend the term of President Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed also offended foreign donors who helped Somalia to bring stability to Somalia more than 20 years later as a failed state after the civil war that began in 1991.
The House of Commons vote on Saturday was broadcast on Somali television, saying that it took place shortly after Mohammed addressed parliament, instructing the prime minister to prepare to postpone parliamentary elections.
Roble thanked the president and parliament in a Twitter post late Saturday, saying the government would “soon” prepare plans for the election.
Mohammed’s term expired in February, but without new members, Congress could not elect a president.
The extension of office was approved by the House of Representatives last month but rejected by the Senate, causing an intensified crisis last week.
After the clash last Sunday, 60,000 to 100,000 people were displaced, raising fears of a full-scale war between heavily armed groups in favor of and against the president.
Nairobi-based independent analyst Rashid Abdi said the move to vote in parliament and hold presidential elections seems like a good compromise.
“The problem is that the trust between the parties is so low that it seems difficult to build trust in the process as long as Pharmaaho holds the lever of military and security services,” he said. Said using a typical nickname.
The US State Department, EU Ambassador, and Turkish Foreign Ministry praised Saturday’s progress.
In a statement, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “Immediately without the preconditions for the parties to the agreement to finalize the election arrangements and initiate them in a collaborative and transparent manner. We call for a meeting, “he added, adding that the United States is ready to support its actions. Election as soon as possible.
The drawn front
Opposition lawmaker Abdillaman Odwaa told Reuters that “there is still a lot to do” and that he wants Mohammed to formalize the agreement.
“The delivery of security and election processes to the Prime Minister should be documented and signed … (he) must go to the conference tent and sign … first and foremost,” Odwaa said.
Another opposition, Senator Himiro Karan, Ilyas Ali Hassan, hopes Roble will “lead the elections now … and do the right thing for the country to have free and fair elections.” He said he was.
Abdullah Ali Hirshi Timade, Minister of Information for Puntland, one of Somalia’s five local governments, confirmed in a letter to Reuters that he had held Roble responsible for elections and security. I told you I wanted it.
Mogadishu shopkeeper Duale Hussein said he was afraid that the opposition might have been fooled.
“He did somersaults skillfully,” Hussein said of the president. “Pharma Aho still dominates everything … Roble is just his remote control.”
It was not immediately clear whether opposition-loyal security forces would withdraw from the fortified position of the capital following Saturday’s vote and Roble’s orders.
Somali troops include members of the clan militia who have often fought each other for power and resources.
Mohammed is Darod, one of Somalia’s main clans. Most of the opposition leaders and Somali troops in the capital are Hawiye, another large clan.