Wednesday September 13, 2023
Somali lawmaker Mardwo Abdi Bashi
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's Lower House lawmakers have agreed to provide financial support to MP Marwo Abdi Bashir, who is running in the election for the new President of the Inter-parliamentary Union. The election of the President will take place in Luanda, Angola, from October 23rd to 27th.
During Wednesday's session, the parliamentarians voted anonymously to deduct $200 from the allowance of Members of Parliament. Speaker of the House, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, announced that 141 lawmakers in the session voted to support Marwo's candidacy for the election, with no MP abstaining or rejecting the proposal. The Lower House consists of 275 seats.
Lawmaker Mardo Abdi, who has been running the election campaign for the last few months, delivered a speech at the House of the People last week, where she urged Somali MPs to support her candidacy.
"I urge you to stand up for your country and support my campaign. When I am in Angola, I will represent Somalia. Winning the election will positively impact our country, especially in politics, diplomacy, and investment."
The Speakers of the Lower and Upper Houses of the Somali Parliament have informed the country's allies that MP Mardo Abdi is representing the Somali Parliament in the election for the 31st President of the Inter-parliamentary Union.
The election will feature four female candidates from African countries: Ms. Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté from Senegal, Ms. Catherine Gotani Hara from Malawi, Ms. Tulia Ackson from the United Republic of Tanzania, and Ms. Marwa Abdibashir Hagi from Somalia.
The IPU President is the political head of the organization. He or she chairs its statutory meetings and represents the organization at major global events. The President is elected for a term of three years. He or she must be a sitting Member of Parliament throughout the term of the presidency.
This marks the first time a Somali MP has participated in a Presidential election race, signalling Somalia's return to the international stage as it seeks to reclaim its position.