Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The scheduled session of the People’s Assembly, the lower house of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, was adjourned today due to a lack of quorum, after only 87 members were present—far short of the minimum required to conduct official parliamentary business.
The session had initially been convened with the presence of at least 139 members of parliament (MPs), meeting the quorum threshold at the start. However, attendance dwindled as the session progressed, leading to an early adjournment before key items on the legislative agenda could be addressed.
Today’s session was expected to tackle several significant constitutional and legislative matters. These included the swearing-in of two newly appointed MPs, a vote on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child—a major international agreement concerning children’s rights and education—and discussions on other pressing national issues.
Second Deputy Speaker of the House of the People, Hon. Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, expressed concern over the repeated failure to maintain quorum and urged all MPs to attend the next session, scheduled for Wednesday. He emphasized the importance of consistent participation to ensure that the legislative body can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, particularly in a time when critical decisions must be made for the country’s governance and development.
This is not the first instance in which parliamentary proceedings have been disrupted due to insufficient attendance. The issue of low MP turnout has been a recurring challenge and a source of frustration for the Parliament’s leadership. The matter has been raised repeatedly by the Parliamentary High Committee, highlighting the urgent need for greater accountability and commitment among lawmakers.
As Somalia navigates complex political and governance challenges, the functionality of its legislative institutions remains vital. Observers note that consistent absenteeism undermines public trust and delays progress on issues central to national stability and development.