MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali parliament session slated for Monday was cancelled thanks to international community pressure which is likely intended to prevent potential confrontation between opposition and pro-government MPs.

According to memo sent to the lawmakers just hours before the session kicked off, confirmed decision to call off the meeting without giving out further details of the cancellation.

House leadership said “Monday’s planned session of the Lower House of Parliament delayed until March 31”.

Sources privy to the move told Somali Dispatch that the international missions in Somali capital have pressed President Mohamed Abdullahi and the speaker of Parliament to stop the session whose agenda was said to be COVID-19.

The move comes a day after fifteen lawmakers suspended from the parliament’s five upcoming session vowed to attend the sitting scheduled for today.

On Saturday evening, Somali Lower House Speaker, Mohamed Mursal ordered the lawmakers to be barred from the five sessions after they were said to have obstructed Saturday’s parliament session which was discuss COVID-19.

Today’s postponement comes as a breakthrough to resolve the current political stalemate is said to have been recorded following talks between five regional states in Airport Hotel in Mogadishu. No official statement was yet issued about the points agreed at the meeting.