Somali Lower House Speaker, Mohamed Osman Jawari has dispelled allegations against him, which claimed he had taken over the Parliament.
The First Deputy Speaker of Lower House, Abdiweli Mudey accused Jawari of sending dozens of forces to block MPs from accessing the House during Wednesday’s House session.
Speaking the media in Mogadishu, Jawari said he surprised by the allegations against him noting that he left his bodyguards behind before he entered the Parliament building.
“The security forces stopped me as I was heading to the parliament in the morning and I was asked to leave behind my bodyguards. I agreed and left them there” the speaker said.
He accused the Security ministry of directing the forces to strip off his rights to security.
“I asked them the reason as to why I leave the bodyguards behind, I was told the Security minister, who himself is a proponent of the motion against me issued the order.” he noted.
The Speaker said he wondered how it could be possible to take over the control of the parliament with only eleven security officers.
“They claimed I had captured parliament with 11 bodyguards. If that is so then it also means the President has also captured Villa Somalia, bodyguards are meant for safeguarding the officials not to seize the Parliament or any other government installations,” he said.
Over 100 lawmakers were reportedly blocked from accessing the House on Wednesday.
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