Somalia's National Consultative Council on Wednesday ignited controversy by granting one-year term extension to the presidents of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Southwest states, provoking vehement backlash from opposition leaders.
In a protracted meeting convened by the National Consultative Council, notably lacking the participation of Jubaland and Puntland leaders, members—including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Mogadishu, and three state presidents—reached a contentious agreement to postpone the state presidential elections originally slated for November by one year.
On Tuesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted members of both chambers of parliament, urging them to convene a session where he would present a proposal likely to secure their endorsement for extending the terms of state leaders and conducting a one-person, one-vote election favored by his administration. Opposition figures have condemned this initiative as unfeasible at present, warning it could ultimately facilitate an extension of the President’s own term.
Somalia's regional presidents awarded controversial one-year term extensions
Somalia's National Consultative Council on Wednesday ignited controversy by granting one-year term extension to the presidents of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Southwest states, provoking vehement backlash from opposition leaders.