Mogadishu, Somalia – According to Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, the chairman of the committee arranging the election for Lower House Speaker, the poll would not take place within the presidential palace in the capital due to security concerns.
The air conditioner for the parliament building had been struck by gunfire, releasing tremendous heat that made the assembly unpleasant, according to the committee chairman.
He went on to say that the committee had worked hard to install the air conditioners so that the candidates’ speeches for Speaker of the House of the People would not be delayed.
“I couldn’t tell if it was deliberate or if it was caused by a stray bullet,” Abdirizak added. “We were told when we arrived at the gate that a gunshot had hit the air conditioner and the next day a mortar shell hit the parliament building.” He added.
A week ago, at least nine people were injured after several mortar shells hit the parliament building where the newly elected lawmakers held a joint session.
The mortar shelling happened a few minutes after the lawmakers approved measures to hold elections for the House of the People and Senate speakers on April 26 and 27.
Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, saying it was targeting the lawmakers.