Speaker Jawari’s parting shot: Guard parliament’s independence to avert dictatorship
Lawmakers have now 15 days to elect a new speaker whose leadership will definitely be monitored closely by both the Executive that would surely push for the election of a malleable politician and assertive lawmakers who would want to protect the independence of the Legislature so as it can play its watchdog role.
By The Star Staff Writer
MOGADIHSU — Somalia’s parliamentary speaker has officially announced his resignation on Thursday, bowing to incessant pressure from the Executive that wanted him out, but he had one final advice for lawmakers: Guard the Legislature’s independence.
Mohamed Osman Jawari has two days ago confirmed media reports that he was actually leaving office, saying that he will unveil his decision on the House floor.
“Today, the month of April 12, 2018, I came in front of this honored House to officially inform you and return to you the responsibility that you – after Allah, Glory to him – entrusted to me, “ he said with a round of applause from hundreds of lawmakers who listened to his prepared speech. “I appeal to you to relieve me of the speakership duty and to accept my resignation.”
Jawari’s departure, which is a big win for the Executive, brings to an end the debilitating feud that pitted the Legislature and the Executive, specifically between him and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre both of whom tried to oust the other via a vote of no confidence that never was.
He laid into “those who fear Allah less” for spreading rumors about him receiving millions of dollars to leave office.
“In line with the essence of the oath of office I took, I wish to affirm in front of you – and Allah knows what I am saying – that I purchased the resignation with no money – not from our government and nor from another foreign government.”
Jawari, 73, was elected to the speakership on Jan. 12, 2017, a post he held since 2012 when he beat four other contestants in an election hailed as the first to be held inside the country for two decades.
Before the collapse of Somalia’s central government, Jawari held two ministerial posts, transportation and labor and sports.
As chairman of the committee of experts formed to work on the country’s constitution, Jawari played a major role in helping midwife the current provisional constitution, although many Somalis fault the charter for its shallowness and being a part of the endless supremacy tussle that rock the country from time to time.
Jawari, who is known for his nationalistic agendas, said his discussion with the president during the row between him and the Executive has only focused on issues that are of interest to the nation, noting that they agreed to work together in the future.
“No money was involved,” said Jawari who speaks five languages and also is a Norwegian citizen.
“Anything else, which you see on social media, is a relic of the previous bad manner aimed at destroying the dignity and respect and reputation of national officials and clerics,” he said.
Jawari said the president had promised him to consult him on critical national issues, even after leaving his office. Jawari will continue — at least for now — being a member of parliament.
He said he would leave behind a functioning parliament whose committees are complete and are populated by clean and industrious individuals, most of whom are degree holders.
“I am bequeathing to you an alert, hardworking parliament with national vision that has debated a raft of critical national and determining issues, including the maritime demarcation” dispute with Kenya, he said.
But Jawari had a final advice for lawmakers: Protect your independence.
“While I encourage cooperation among the arms of government, yet it is crucial to jealously guard the independence of these arms and separations of power,” he said, as his parting short. “Why? Because if the violation of one arm against another is not controlled or if we close our eyes (to the impingement) that will certainly lead to an authoritarian system and abuse of power that no one can supervise it.
“My parting short, therefore, is: to steadfastly guard against impingement on the independence of parliament,” he said.
Lawmakers have now 15 days to elect a new speaker whose leadership will definitely be monitored closely by both the Executive that would like to have a malleable politician and assertive lawmakers who would like the Legislature to be an independent arm of government that can actively play its watchdog role.