Somalia’s Special envoy for drought to step down as MP

The President of Somalia appointed MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame as the Special Envoy for Somalia’s drought issues on May 24th. Soon after his appointment, questions were raised about the legality of his position as an envoy, considering that he is a sitting member of parliament.‎

Abdirahman Abdishakur has officially announced his plan to step down as MP to take the responsibilities of his new role. He believes that work is part of his role as a Member of Parliament and argued the appointment is similar to a position on a parliamentary committee.

He said his current role as the drought envoy was unpaid and voluntary but that he was willing to sacrifice his role as a member of parliament to complete the task. Abdishakur Warsame’s appointment as the Special Envoy for Somalia’s drought comes as Somalia faces its worst drought in nearly 40 years.

According to Article 59 of the Provisional Somali Constitution, a Member of Parliament can be disqualified from the seat if they accept to hold a government position other than a ministerial post.