Somalia: Somali lawmakers to get two bodyguards each
May 6, 2014 - 9:10:22 AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia May 6, 2013 (Garowe Online)-The second deputy speaker of
Federal Parliament of Somalia Mahad Abdalla Awad has announced that two
bodyguards will be allotted for each and every MP amid planned
assassinations targeting key figures within the government, Garowe Online
reports.
On Tuesday, speaking to reporters at the parliament building in Mogadishu
Awad said the lawmakers in 275-seat-chamber of Somali parliament have a full
right to enjoy secure environment.
"Of the 275 Members of Parliament, 33 are serving as ministers and deputy
ministers and have security unit while 239 are unguarded," Awad noted with
the exception of Parliament speaker and his two deputies.
He added that the government will not shoulder the responsibility if the MPs
are targeted with assassinations.
Following wave of deadly attacks mainly on Federal MPs by Al Qaeda linked Al
Shabaab group, President Hassan Shiekh Mohamud's administration faced
widespread opposition from both the members of the public and parliament.
More than 100 lawmakers yesterday called on Mohamud to vacate the country's
top political job on the grounds of incompetence or appear before the
parliament for confidence vote.
Day light challenges including military-style ambushes and killings reigned
through Mogadishu where Somalia Federal Government maintains gigantic
presence.