MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia have approved two key bills addressing the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the regulation of civil registration and status, the Office of the Speaker announced.
The 16th session of the sixth parliamentary sitting was held at the Parliament headquarters in Mogadishu on Saturday and was chaired by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe).
The IDPs Bill, first introduced in May 2023, had faced repeated delays due to political instability and ongoing security challenges that have disrupted legislative proceedings under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
After more than a year of inaction, MP Mukhtar Mohamed and several colleagues reintroduced the motion last week, urging swift parliamentary action.
“I urge the MPs once again to consider fast-tracking this agenda, which is of great importance,” MP Mukhtar told the House, highlighting the looming mid-term parliamentary recess.
During Saturday’s session, MP Abdulqadir Barako, a member of the Human Rights Committee, presented the third reading of the IDPs Bill, which incorporated feedback and debates from earlier sessions. The bill was passed with overwhelming support: 136 MPs voted in favor, 4 opposed, and none abstained.
Parliament also approved the Bill on Civil Registration and Civil Status Statistics, with 136 MPs voting in favor, one against, and five abstaining.
A complex mix of conflict, insecurity, natural disasters, and weak governance structures has resulted in an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia.
As of May 2024, Somalia hosts approximately 3.86 million IDPs, according to UNHCR.
The majority of these IDPs reside in over 2,000 informal settlements across the country, often lacking adequate shelter, sanitation, and access to essential services.
Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe confirmed the passage of both bills, calling it a significant step toward addressing humanitarian needs and strengthening civil administration.
“Members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia today approved Bills on IDPs and Civil Registration and Status,” he said.