Somali lawmakers gather at airport to vote for president

by Dramelin 12:30 AM 0 comments

The presidential vote, which was originally slated for August, is due to start at about noon (0900 GMT). MOGADISHU Somali lawmakers gathered behind the blast walls of the capital`s airport on Wednesday to elect their president, after months of delays and following threats from Islamist insurgents bent on derailing the process. Anti-corruption group Marqaati says tens of thousands of dollars have been handed to individuals to secure support in the vote. Western donors, who have often criticized President Mohamud`s government for corruption, say the vote is far from perfect but say it marks a modest step forward from 2012 when just 135 elders picked the lawmakers, who chose the president. Rival presidential candidates have accused each other of buying the loyalty of lawmakers, drawing furious denials.