MOGADISHU (SD) – All Somali government agencies and public institutions have been barred from entering into new economic, political and security agreements during the electioneering period, Villa Somalia announced Friday.

In a decree, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said all new trade agreements with other countries remain suspended until after the elections.

“Until after the elections, all ministries and government agencies are prohibited from entering agreements or talks on behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia that affect the future, sovereignty, the land and the sea of our country,” the decree reads in part.

The directive which is aimed at safeguarding the national assets and sovereignty of Somalia will remain in force until the next government is sworn in and takes office.

The directive noted the executive order is meant to provide a conducive environment for the ongoing electoral process.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s term has lapsed last February while the mandate of the parliament ended December 2020.