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Somalia prepares to elect new president | Somalia prepares to elect new president |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Somalia's new parliament is preparing to hold a vote to name a president for the country. | Somalia's new parliament is preparing to hold a vote to name a president for the country. |
The vote by MPs will mark the end of a period of eight years of rule by the UN-backed Transitional Federal Government, whose mandate expires. | |
Security is reported to be heavy across the capital, Mogadishu, with troops and police officers patrolling the streets. | Security is reported to be heavy across the capital, Mogadishu, with troops and police officers patrolling the streets. |
Outgoing President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, is seen as a favourite for the role. | Outgoing President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, is seen as a favourite for the role. |
Other candidates include Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. | Other candidates include Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. |
Mr Ahmed is a controversial figure for Western observers. | Mr Ahmed is a controversial figure for Western observers. |
'Favours and intimidation' | 'Favours and intimidation' |
A recent UN report suggested that under his presidency there had been widespread corruption. | A recent UN report suggested that under his presidency there had been widespread corruption. |
"Systematic embezzlement, pure and simple misappropriation of funds and theft of public money have become government systems," the July report said. | "Systematic embezzlement, pure and simple misappropriation of funds and theft of public money have become government systems," the July report said. |
In August, the UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, said "favours, bribes and intimidation" had been involved during the appointment of the country's MPs. | In August, the UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, said "favours, bribes and intimidation" had been involved during the appointment of the country's MPs. |
The new parliament, to be made up of a lower house with 275 members and an upper house with a maximum of 54 members, will hold its first session on Monday for the vote. | The new parliament, to be made up of a lower house with 275 members and an upper house with a maximum of 54 members, will hold its first session on Monday for the vote. |
It currently has 215 members, enough to vote for a president by secret ballot. | It currently has 215 members, enough to vote for a president by secret ballot. |
The new MPs were chosen by clan elders and vetted by a technical selection committee to eliminate people accused of war crimes. | |
'Critical moment' | 'Critical moment' |
On Sunday, representatives from the international community flew into Mogadishu for final talks with Mr Ahmed and to resolve a problem over the issuing of identity cards for MPs. | On Sunday, representatives from the international community flew into Mogadishu for final talks with Mr Ahmed and to resolve a problem over the issuing of identity cards for MPs. |
The president had halted the identity cards after the selection committee rejected some proposed members of his clan. | The president had halted the identity cards after the selection committee rejected some proposed members of his clan. |
But the process so far has been welcomed by the international community. | |
"The conclusion of the transition should mark the beginning of more representative government in Somalia," said a statement released by the UN. | "The conclusion of the transition should mark the beginning of more representative government in Somalia," said a statement released by the UN. |
"Whilst parliament remains a selected rather than elected body, it is essential that it cuts its ties with the past of self-interest and warlordism, and is populated by a new generation of Somali politicians, including the proper representation of Somali women." | "Whilst parliament remains a selected rather than elected body, it is essential that it cuts its ties with the past of self-interest and warlordism, and is populated by a new generation of Somali politicians, including the proper representation of Somali women." |
The BBC World Service's Africa Editor, Martin Plaut, says that this is a critical moment for the country which, since the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991, has seen warlords, Islamist militants and its neighbours all taking a hand in its affairs. | |
With the help of African Union peacekeepers, the interim government controls the capital but al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, runs many central and southern areas of the country. | With the help of African Union peacekeepers, the interim government controls the capital but al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, runs many central and southern areas of the country. |