Upper House says Farmajo did not request a joint-session

Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament has announced that they have not been informed of a joint session of parliament that President Farmajo has requested in late January.

On Monday, President Farmajo tweeted that he would address both Houses of Parliament after the 3-day consultative meeting with Federal Member State leaders in Dhusamareeb. He said he announced that he would meet with lawmakers on February 5.

“As part of our efforts on the Sept. 17 elections agreement, I will have a 3 days consultative forum with FMS Leadership in #Samareeb from 1st to 3rd Feb 2021. On 5th Feb, I will address the two Houses of Federal Parliament on our national progress especially on Federal elections.”

Senator Ilyas Ali Hassan confirmed in a tweet that no joint-session was scheduled for February 5 or February 6.

The news comes as talks between Somalia’s federal government and regional member states have reached a stalemate over the Gedo issue. Jubaland’s leader Ahmed Madobe has insisted that federal troops leave the Gedo region before Jubaland can hold credible elections.