Police officers have been deployed to the Parliament building to maintain law and order as the political differences within the House members escalate, Security Ministry confirmed.
Speaking at press conference jointly held by the ministry and the head of the Police in Mogadishu, State Minister for Security, Hassan Moalim Hussein said his ministry dispatched the officers to beef up the security of the house.
“In fact, at about 2pm, I ordered the Police Chief to increase the number of officers at the parliament, No soldiers have forcefully the taken the control of the house. The police officers will guard the parliament. It is the responsibility to safeguard the lawmakers,” Hussein said.
Chief of Somali police, Bashir Abdi Mohamed who also spoke to media said the officers were only deployed at the House for pre-emptive measures against chaos.
He dismissed remarks of the Parliament Speaker, Mohamed Osman Jawaari who claimed the soldiers controlling the House take orders from the Prime minister.
“The police is not meant for specific group or people, they are here to serve the public equally. The officers are well disciplined and respect the code of conduct,” Mohamed affirmed.
The press conference comes on the heel of Jawaari remarks accusing the executive arm of taking over the parliament buildings.
Recently, a number of parliamentarians had lodged a motion against the Speaker whom they accused of violating the Provisional Constitution and suppressing the opinion of the lawmaker.
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