Incumbent Speaker retains seat in the House of the People, of Somalia’s federal parliament

Mogadishu, 11 January 2016 – The incumbent Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, retained his seat with a comfortable majority in voting held at the capital’s parliament building today.

Jawari polled 141 votes to retain his seat, winning against three other contenders, among them, Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig, his closest challenger who received 97 votes.

Wednesday’s elections mark the final stages of Somalia’s 2016 electoral process, which will culminate in presidential elections expected in the coming weeks.

In his victory speech, Jawari appealed to legislators to put aside their political differences for the sake of the people of Somalia, telling them there were no winners or losers.

“It is the Somali people who have won,” he told parliament.

Runner up Hidig, saluted Jawari and pledged to explore other avenues to serve the Somali people.

“It was an honour for me to contest the seat of Speaker of Parliament…Speaker Jawari is my friend and I congratulate him for the win,” Hidig said.

Mariam Haji Abdi Gedi, an MP from Galmudug state who joined other MP’s to express confidence in Jawari’s leadership.

“I look forward to his leadership, seeing him set up parliamentary structures. We have high expectations of him because he has the experience,” Gedi said.

Members of the international community, key stakeholders and high-level federal government representatives witnessed the day’s proceedings.

The African Union Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto congratulated the newly elected Speaker and other parliamentarians for what she described as a credible process.

“We were very gratified as part of the observer team, to see those who didn’t make it congratulate and pledge to support Right Honourable Jawari, who has won and retained his seat,” Hon Wanyoto noted.

Jawari was first elected Speaker of the federal Parliament in 2012. He previously served as a cabinet minister under the Siad Barre administration. As speaker he will preside over the election of his two deputies, followed by much awaited presidential ballot expected within the next weeks.

 

Source.amisom