The session was tense, with opposition and pro-government lawmakers exchanging heated words outside the parliamentary hall.

However, Speaker Aden Madobe did not address the reasons behind the extended postponement.

In his opening remarks, Speaker Madobe outlined three main priorities for the parliament: Continuation of the constitutional review process, Completion of pending bills from the previous parliamentary session, and Government accountability.

Notably, there was no mention of the electoral process being pushed by President Mohamud’s administration, a topic that has sparked intense debate.

During the session, Madobe praised the British parliamentary system, sharing his experience of witnessing UK lawmakers scrutinize the Prime Minister.

“I hope one day we will see such a system in our parliament,” he remarked, as cameras turned to President Mohamud, who appeared to be paying close attention.

President Pushes Ahead With Controversial Election Plan

In his speech, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud shifted focus to his administration’s push for a one-person, one-vote election, despite widespread opposition.

“The election is a reality, and it will happen,” he declared, though he provided no timeline for implementation. However, he acknowledged that completing the constitutional review was a prerequisite for holding elections.

“The country must have a finalized and complete constitution,” he told lawmakers, indirectly linking the stalled legal framework to the electoral process.

Security Concerns and Financial Constraints

Security remains a major challenge, with Al-Shabaab militants recently seizing key towns in the Middle Shabelle region.

While President Mohamud admitted to the worsening security situation, he avoided mentioning the specific towns captured by the insurgents.

On the financial front, Mohamud revealed that despite initial government funding, the electoral commission still lacks the necessary resources to function effectively.

The commission, formed last year, has not been fully endorsed by regional states, and opposition groups refuse to recognize it.

The opposition party Himilo Qaran, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, dismissed Mohamud’s electoral proposal, insisting that any future election must follow the previous model, which was endorsed by all stakeholders.

MP Abdirashid Hidig echoed this sentiment, stating, “On May 15, 2026, we expect to have an election process accepted by all. That means returning to the selection model used in previous elections at the airport hall.”

As political divisions deepen, Somalia’s path to the next elections remains uncertain, with growing resistance to President Mohamud’s push for a unilateral electoral process.

The post Somalia Parliament Resumes: President Insists on Unilateral Election Amid Opposition appeared first on Kaab TV.

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.

The post Somalia Parliamentary Session Overdue Amid Impeachment Motion Against President and PM appeared first on Kaab TV.