Mogadishu (UM) – The main roads of the city of Mogadishu are closed today as MPs file into Parliament to decide the fate of the Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari.
Checkpoints were erected in all major roads across Mogadishu and only those drivers escorting MPs were allowed to proceed on the roads.
“Today security must be tight and we have orders to only let agreed people through checkpoints, ” said a policeman who did not want to be named.
Pedestrians have reported been refused permission to walk in certain areas because of tighter than usual security.
“There is no way for me to go yo work today so I am returning home,” said Mohamed Farah, a waiter.
In a telephone discussion with MPs on both sides of the Motion of No Confidence against the Speaker, it was clear that no one is clear how the activities in Parliament will proceed or conclude.
“We will see what happens. We are not even sure if the vote will happen but if MPs are allowed to vote, we cannot predict the outcome. We have to wait and see,” said Asha Abdi, a mother living in the IDP camp just outside the Parliament building.