(26-10-23) MOGADISHU — A contentious letter unilaterally disqualifying Somali MP Marwo Abdi Bashir from the race for the presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly has ignited nationwide criticism. Leading the chorus of disapproval is MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, the presidential envoy for humanitarian affairs.
Speaker of the Somali People’s Assembly, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, sent the letter to the IPU, claiming that Marwo Abdi Bashir had opted to withdraw. Abdirahman Abdishakur assailed the action as a “great injustice and regrettable,” emphasising its damaging impact on the MP’s reputation.
“Both houses of the Somali Federal Parliament had unanimously supported Marwo Abdi Bashir’s candidacy. The chairman’s letter is not just illegal; it threatens anyone wishing to compete in the name of the nation,” Abdishakur stated.
In a strong rebuttal, Marwo Abdi Bashir dismissed Madobe’s claims, insisting that her candidacy remains intact. “I was flabbergasted by the Speaker’s letter, claiming my withdrawal. I have an excellent chance of winning this position,” she said.
MP Dr Ali Said Faqi joined the opposition against Madobe’s actions, questioning the Speaker’s authority in the matter. “Hon. Marwo wasn’t nominated by the Federal Parliament; she chose to run independently. The Speaker has no authority to request her withdrawal,” he said.
Adding an emotional layer to the controversy is the revelation that Marwo Abdi Bashir is pregnant. The timing of the disqualification, arriving just before voting was to end, has been deemed politically and personally damaging.
MPs from the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia have joined global counterparts at the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Luanda, Angola, which runs from 23 to 27 October 2023.
Before her abrupt removal, Marwo Abdi Bashir was one of four African women left in the race, alongside candidates from Malawi, Tanzania, and Senegal. Her sudden disqualification has brought the IPU electoral process under scrutiny and highlighted the challenges women face in politics. The IPU Member Parliaments will elect their 31st President at the 147th IPU Assembly in Luanda, Angola from 23 to 27 October.
Abdirahman Abdishakur, who reached out to fellow MPs, reiterated his unyielding support for Marwo Abdi Bashir. He warned that this action tarnishes not just her but the entire Somali democratic process and the nation’s international standing.
Halqabsi News
