Parliament chief of protocol Mohamed Omar appointed registrar of political parties

The head of protocol in Parliament Mohamed Omar has been appointed the Registrar of Political Parties, notably the first in decades in a move towards the development of party politics in Somalia.

The chairperson of the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC) Halima Yare announced Saturday the appointment of Omar to head the office of registrar of political parties.

In an agreement towards the 2016/17 elections, the country’s leaders passed a provision that all members of federal parliament must sign up with a political party within a two year period.

In a meeting with political parties today, the ICRIC also presented its 2017-2021 strategy highlighting among others voter registration and access to resources to facilitate its functioning. The strategy also mentions the rights and obligations of voters.

The report also emphasises the need to register and build political parties ahead of the 2021 elections which are expected to be based on universal suffrage.

Omar served as MP and State Minister before being appointed head of protocol in parliament.