Somali to hold direct elections for president and parliament

Somali Parliament Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe shared the information that the constitution had been amended in a statement to the press.

Madobe stated that, according to the amendment, the president and members of parliament will henceforth be elected by the public.

Announcing that the president's term of office has been extended from 4 to 5 years with the decision, Madobe also noted that the president has been granted the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister at will.

The decision taken in the Somali parliament has been criticized by some politicians and certain states, such as Puntland.

Somalia is governed by a clan-based system known as the "4.5 system." While the country's four major clans are represented by an equal number of members in parliament, other clans are represented by half that number of deputies chosen by themselves.

News Source: AA