President signs into law Political Parties Bill

The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Sunday assented to the Political Parties bill ahead of election which is scheduled to take place from this month.

The law which sets parameters for formation, registration and operation of political parties is expected to set ground for the universal vote in 2020.

The National Leadership Forum last month in a communique said all members of the upcoming tenth parliament must sign up with political parties before 2018. The NLF which is made up of the executive branch of government, Speaker and regional heads said the formation of political parties was critical in ushering in multi-party politics in Somalia.

The law allows country to have political parties for the first time since 1969 when late president Mohamed Siyad Barre took the control of the country through military coup.

The legislation which enhances the country’s overall democratization and political process was previously passed by parliament in June the year 2016.

Mohamud who is flagbearer for Peace and Development Party said the legislation is critical for Somalia’s democratization and political process.

“The law will promote an inclusive, accountable multiparty system and encourage constructive policies that further strengthen good governance, accountability and transparency,” said Mohamud during signing of the law.

According to the new legislation, all political parties should have branches across the nation and pay $1000 registration fee.

The Coalition of Somali Political Parties has welcomed the action taken by the president towards democracy terming it real milestone in the future for Somali people.

Presidential candidates, leaders of political parties and MP who held press conference in Mogadishu hours after the president assented the law, have called the law stepping stone to the democracy.

Khadija Mohamed Diriye, MP commended the president saying this legislation will play very important role in the legitimate path to continued development of democracy.

“This law essentially paves the way for governance and eradicates the clan based power sharing system which drag Somalis back to dark days,” said Diriye.