Incumbent Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo, continues to hold on to power even after his four year term officially ended on 8 February, 2021. A political stalemate pushed back elections and on 12 April, parliamentarians – at the behest of the executive – extended Farmajo’s term for another two years, further complicating the situation in the country.
In a daring move on Monday 12 April, Mogadishu police chief Sadaq Omar also known as ‘John’ issued a statement directing members of parliament not to attend a session of the lower house of the people.
According to the police chief – who has since been replaced – – he was trying to protect Somalia from plunging into further chaos due to the prolonged elections impasse. In his statement, Sadaq said: “I stopped today’s session because parliament’s term expired and there is no need for an extension of their term.”
