A joint session of the Federal Parliament today selected eight MPs and six Senators to set the ground for the election of a new president. The vote is expected to take place by around mid-month. Over 50 candidates have expressed interest to seek an election as the country’s next leader.

Somalia was supposed to get a new president on February 8, 2021 but political wrangling and several delays in the parliamentary elections made the timeline unviable. Article 89 of the Provisional Constitution notes that a new president shall be elected in a joint sitting of the Lower and Upper Houses of parliament with a winner required to garner two-thirds of the 329 votes.

The committee comprises the following legislators:

MPs

Mowliid Abdi Mohamed, MP

Ali Haji Dahir, MP

Nuur Mustaf Mukhtaar, MP

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, MP

Mohamed Ananuug, MP

Omar Yusuf, MP

 Fardowsa Mohamed Igaal, MP

Senators:

Sen. Ali Mohamud Ga’al- South West state

Sen. Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar- Somaliland

Sen. Abdiqani Geelle Mohamed- Puntland

Sen. Farhaan Ali Mohamud- Galmudug

Sen. Ibraahim Awgaab Osmaan- Jubaland

Sen. Zamzam Abdullaahi Ahmed- Hirshabelle