Somali parliament speaker resigns

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari officially announced his resignation on Tuesday.

The speaker resigned after facing a no-confidence motion in the parliament that saw the onset of a seven-week long political crisis in the Horn of Africa nation.

Jawari, 72, was elected as parliament speaker for the second time in January 2017.

"I want to announce Somali people that I am resigning as speaker of the National House of people.

“I will address members of the parliament and give them my resignation by tomorrow," Jawari told a news conference alongside President Mohamed Abdulahi Mohamed at the presidential palace in capital Mogadishu.

The president described the move as a “historic” decision.

"Jawari has been working in this country for more than 50 years, and his decision to stepdown as the speaker is a historic decision," Mohamed said.

“I am requesting you to continue for working our country, especially to contribute your experiences for the provisional constitution.”