MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Additional police forces were deployed today to the temporary headquarters of the Federal Parliament of Somalia in an effort to contain Members of Parliament who oppose the manner in which the Parliamentary leadership is pushing forward the agenda currently before the House.
The media was barred from covering today’s session to prevent the broadcast of footage showing the mixed reactions of MPs, the obstruction of the session’s opening, and other developments inside the parliamentary chamber. However, some MPs managed to record and share videos from inside the building.
Lawmakers who were suspended from today’s session stated that they still intended to go to the parliamentary premises to present their views on the agenda, which concerns Articles 5 through 9 of the country’s Constitution, despite uncertainty over how they would do so given their suspension.
Police forces stationed inside the House of the People surrounded the seating area of the parliamentary leadership and the sergeants-at-arms, with the aim of closely securing and protecting the Speaker and the parliamentary officials, while remaining on alert to intervene if necessary.
In one of the videos recorded by MPs, voices can be heard alleging that MP Cadar Xareed was injured, with accusations directed at the police forces for causing the injury.
