The government of the United States could sanction Somalia for the decision to extend President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s term by two years.
Farmaajo’s term expired on February 8, 2021.
On April 12, the Lower House voted to extend his term by two additional years.
That decision has rubbed several stakeholders the wrong way.
Somalia’s international partners believe that the decision could destabilize the country and compromise peace.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, warned that President Joe Biden’s government “does not support term extensions that are not universally supported.”
Blinken said that the term extension “could deeply divide” Somalis.
He also warned that the decision by the Lower House could “undermine federalism process in the East African nation.”
The Secretary of State expressed the “deep disappointment” that the US feels about the Lower House’s decision.