Somali President Backtracks on Term Extension, Opens Way for Poll

Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has bowed to pressure over his bid to extend his presidential term, saying he will instead ask lawmakers to restore an agreement calling for the election of MPs who would then elect the country's president, writes Daniel Finnan for Radio France Internationale. Mohamed, commonly referred to as Farmajo, made the U-turn during a televised address, going back on a resolution passed by parliament giving him a two-year extension to his term in office. The power grab by Farmajo sparked three days of clashes in Mogadishu between different factions of the security forces, some supporting the president, others throwing their weight behind those opposed to him. The violence caused some Mogadishu residents to flee, and raised the spectre of a return to civil war years after the country recovered from conflict.

InFocus

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is sworn in as president after he was declared the winner of the election held at the Mogadishu Airport hangar in Mogadishu on February 8, 2017.

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