MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s parliament has been unable to convene for over two weeks, as the scheduled resumption of its session has now passed without a clear start.
The federal parliament’s bicameral houses have been in recess since December, with lawmakers originally expected to resume on February 1, 2025.
However, parliamentary sources and opposition MPs told Kaab TV that the Speaker of the House is unable to commence the session due to an overwhelming impeachment motion against Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
According to sources within the Office of the Speaker of the Lower House (People’s House), Speaker Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe) is deeply concerned about the growing number of MPs supporting the impeachment motion, which could lead to instability if the parliament reconvenes.
“The Speaker is trying to resolve the matter before any session is opened. That is why the parliamentary session has been delayed,” said the source.
Opposition MPs, speaking anonymously, warned that over 200 MPs are prepared to take countermeasures if Speaker Madobe does not open the parliament or allow the impeachment motion to be discussed.
One possible course of action, according to the MPs, involves starting a parallel parliamentary session in a safer location within the country.
Such a move could set the stage for a parallel process ahead of the 2026 elections, as the current administration’s term is set to end in May 2026.
The MPs are accusing the Prime Minister and President of serious constitutional violations, corruption, and human rights abuses, and are demanding their removal from office.
Both Jubaland and Puntland have reportedly endorsed the impeachment motion.
A source at Villa Somalia, the President’s office, revealed that President Hassan Sheikh has been working to defuse the situation, possibly by negotiating the removal of the Prime Minister and bringing in a new candidate.
One potential successor is Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Doodishe, the former Minister of Internal Security, who is from the same Daarood clan as the current Prime Minister.
According to the 2012 Provisional Constitution of Somalia, the House of the People is required to hold two regular sessions each year, each lasting a minimum of four months.
In March 2024, the parliament amended the constitution to extend the parliamentary term from four to five years, effective from the current legislature that began in April 2022.
If parliamentary sessions are overdue, it may be due to extraordinary circumstances, including political instability, security concerns, or logistical challenges.
In such cases, the Speaker of the House of the People may call for an extraordinary session, or at least 20% of the members can request one in writing.