MOGAIDHU, Somalia – (AP) — Somali leaders are on the verge of naming a new parliament that is supposed to elect a new president.
Monday marks the end of eight years of rule by a U.N.-backed leadership structure known as the Transitional Federal Government. Somali leaders this weekend are finalizing the names on a new, 275-member parliament, whose members will then vote for president.
Many of the candidates for president — including the current president and prime minister — already serve in a government that has been hammered by corruption allegations.
Behind-the-scenes bribes and intimidation appear to have marred the selection of the parliament. The U.N. has warned repeatedly of “spoilers” in the political process.
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