Political tensions are on the rise in Galmudug state of Somalia over exactly when the term of Galmudug President Mahamad Ahmed Aalin (Alin) will end, with the parliament speaker and deputy speaker at odds over the date.
Galmudug Speaker of Parliament Hassan Mahamud Heyle said the presidential term will expire in August of this year, adding that an extension will not be granted.
“The president's duration is coming to an end and it is time for an election before August,” said the speaker.
Meanwhile, the deputy speaker, Awke Haaji A/rahman, opposed the speaker's comments saying that the term would end in 2013, and warned against any election from being held before that period.
“The duration of the president's term in the office is clearly written in the constitution. It is 2013 and if any election is called for before that time, then it will cause disorder and confrontation,” said the deputy speaker.
The cultural elders of Galmudug, the elites and the senior official from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) immediately intervened to solve the dispute and have been discussing the matter.
Recently, well known politicians, including the former TFG Minister of Natural Resources Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdiid, declared that they are going to run for the Galmudug presidency.
In December of last year, the speaker and some members of parliament met in Galkayo and called for the replacement of President Aalin. In turn, the president immediately issued from his side a statement sacking the speaker from his position.
For a detailed look at Galmudug and the key players, please see Somalia Report's, "What is Galmudug state?"