E. Africa's bloc says political tension in Somalia may derail peace progress

MOGADISHU, March 26 (Xinhua) -- East Africa's regional bloc on Monday warned that the ongoing political tension in Somalia threatens to derail peace and security progress realized in the past year in the Horn of Africa nation.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed concern about the political developments in the country which it said does not augur well with the current stabilization process in the country.

The standoff within the country's legislature threatens to impede efforts by the current government towards reforming security and justice institutions and increasing opportunities for economic growth as well as providing basic services to its citizens, IGAD said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The statement came amid political standoff in Somalia following a dispute between Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and House Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari which has brought business in the Lower House to a standstill.

The regional bloc cautioned that recurring political instability threatens the fragile gains made by Somalia government over the past year which it said portends serious risks to stabilization process.

IGAD called on both the Executive and Federal Parliament to join hands to facilitate the delivery of the critical milestones under the 2020 road map, aid the implementation of the national security architecture and further develop the road map to the debt relief.

"We also urge the Federal Institutions to maintain the unity and cohesion in the spirit of separation of power and also use constitutional and peaceful means to resolve political disputes," said IGAD in the statement.

Jawari who was re-elected in 2017 for the second term in office has blamed the prime minister for being behind a motion of no confidence against him and for ordering security forces to occupy Parliament and has vowed to face the motion on the floor of the house if the legal requirements are met. Enditem