MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali lawmakers have signed a motion to impeach the Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a move that could amount to a political crisis in the country.
According to Abdikarim H. Abdi Buh, the Secretary general of the parliament, the motion was handed over to the speaker of the Parliament, Abdirahman Mursal.
The motion which was reportedly signed by 94 lawmakers, accuses president Farmajo of violating the provisional constitution of Somalia, including extradition laws and signing a secret deal with Ethiopia and Eritrea and several other issues.
Refoulement
The MPs accused the president of usurping the powers of the office and the Constitution in violation of the articles of extradition.
Citing articles 87, 96, and 36, the lawmakers said president Farmajo breached the laws of extradition and powers of the presidency.
Article 36 articulates: “any person who has been accused or convicted may be extradited only in a manner prescribed by law and on the basis of an international treaty or convention which the Federal Republic of Somalia is a party to, and which obliges the Federal State of Somalia to extradite the accused or convicted.”
It also notes that “any accused or convicted person shall be extradited only in accordance with international law and practice, and on the basis of legislation governing extradition, which has been passed by the Federal Parliament.”
The MP said the president was responsible for the extradition of Abdikarim Muse Qalbi Dhagah, a highly decorated former Somali military officer to Ethiopian regime.
Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in September last year extradited Qalbi Dhagah to Ethiopia, a move initially denied and dismissed by the Somali government.
Immediately the move led to a public uproar, the government of Somalia subsequently moved to declare him as a terrorist in the same rank with al Shabaab militants.
Power abuse
The impeachment motion also blames the president for abusing power and signing a secret agreement with Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The president is accused of violating article 87 (2), 90 (q) of the provisional constitution of Somalia.
Articles read: “The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia is: (a) The Head of the State of the Federal Republic of Somalia; (b)The symbol of the national unity; (c)The guardian and promoter of the founding principles of the Constitution.” “(2) The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall carry out his duties in accordance with the Constitution and the other laws of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
The motion also accused the president of breaching several other laws including Federalism principles and Military, penal laws.
However, two-thirds of the members of the people’s house would have to back the vote to oust the president.
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