(28-10-23) LUANDA — Second Deputy Speaker of the Somali Lower House Parliament, Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, clarified on Saturday the Somali government’s decision to withdraw from the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) Presidential election. This comes despite Marwa Abdi Bashir, a member of the Somali Parliament, actively participating and finishing fourth in the race.
Abshirow, who led the Somali delegation in Luanda, told reporters that an agreement had been struck between Somalia and Tanzania. According to this agreement, Somalia would support Tanzania’s candidate for the IPU presidency in return for Tanzania’s assistance in facilitating Somalia’s accession to the East African Community and a separate UN seat.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a letter in August endorsing Tanzania’s bid, Abshirow confirmed. “The Somali candidate agreed to relinquish that seat, and the Speaker’s letter making this public was issued,” he added.
However, Marwa 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.
Abshirow justified the withdrawal as a strategic move aimed at securing broader African support for Somalia in other diplomatic arenas. “We considered it a beneficial trade-off to secure other vital seats with African backing,” said Abshirow.
The IPU election featured four African female candidates, including Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté of Senegal, Catherine Gotani Hara of Malawi, Tulia Ackson of Tanzania, and Marwa Abdi Bashir of Somalia. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, won the election and will succeed Portugal’s Duarte Pacheco as the IPU President.
Halqabsi News
