Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble announced on Tuesday that the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has been authorized to take over the security of the hangar (tent) where the Lower House leadership election will be held on Wednesday.
The directive, according to Roble, is in response to security concerns surrounding the upcoming elections for the speaker and two Lower House deputies.
“In light of the severity of the security challenges impeding the completion of the elections, I have authorized ATMIS peacekeepers to immediately take over the security of the air force hangar as we complete the election of parliamentary leadership and prepare for the presidential election next month,” he said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
Key events are being held in a Somali Air Force hangar at Mogadishu’s international airport under strict security measures.
Key events are being held in a Somali Air Force hangar at Mogadishu’s international airport under strict security measures.
To ensure peaceful elections, Roble said the ATMIS leadership will work closely with the prime minister’s office, the ministries of security and defense, as well as parliamentary leadership.
According to him, the interim Speaker of the Lower House will prepare a list of lawmakers who will be allowed access to the hangar, which will be compiled by the prime minister’s office and sent to ATMIS leadership.
The speaker of the Upper House, or Senate, was elected on Tuesday, and analysts say the outcome of the election could indicate who among the candidates is most likely to win the presidential election in May.
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