In a statement issued on Saturday, the Jubaland Presidency said the process poses a serious threat to Somalia’s statehood and to the consensus-based provisional constitution agreed upon by the Somali people in 2012.

The statement said recent developments inside Parliament reflect what it described as “gross irresponsibility,” alleging that lawmakers who oppose the proposed amendments—reportedly backed by a president whose term is nearing its end—have been subjected to intimidation and physical abuse that endangered their lives.

Somalia’s Parliament on Saturday ended its session after chaos erupted for the second consecutive week, amid attempts to push through constitutional amendments widely viewed as controversial.

“The Jubaland Government makes it clear that the regions and people of Jubaland will not be subjected to a unilateral constitution drafted by a select group,” the statement said. “Such a document lacks the confidence of members of both houses of Parliament and the Somali public at large.”

Despite the Federal Government’s term set to expire in mid-May 2026, the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu has continued to pursue what critics describe as a unilateral constitutional amendment process.

Over the past two weeks, tensions surrounding the proposed changes have repeatedly disrupted parliamentary sessions, with opposition lawmakers rejecting the process and vowing to block it.

The Jubaland statement highlights growing political tensions over the constitutional amendment process and widening divisions between Jubaland and the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, Puntland State has also rejected the proposed amendments, insisting that the 2012 provisional constitution remains the only legally acceptable framework.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been accused by critics of seeking a term extension or changes to the length of his mandate, despite his current term set to end in May.

The political uncertainty comes as Somalia continues to face serious security challenges, with militant groups posing a major threat to the capital, Mogadishu.

The post Jubaland Says It Will Not Accept One-Sided Constitutional Changes appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking on the matter, MP Kooshin said corruption and bribery within state institutions have reached unprecedented levels.

He argued that Parliament has no legal basis to continue operating, noting that its mandate expired on January 28, 2026.

The lawmaker, who was among a group of MPs who on Saturday blocked an agenda seeking to amend the provisional constitution, described the ongoing parliamentary proceedings as “extra-legal.”

Kooshin further warned that certain clans are being deliberately marginalized from national political processes, a practice he said risks deepening divisions among Somali communities.

According to the MP, around 40 lawmakers have been denied access to parliamentary sessions, effectively barring them from carrying out their constitutional duties.

He also accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of systematically dismantling key national institutions, including Parliament.

“This is a tragedy,” Kooshin said, “especially at a time when the country is facing severe drought and worsening economic hardship.”

The post Somali MP Alleges Parliamentary Leaders Bribed With Land at Air Force Camp appeared first on Kaab TV.

Lawmakers ratified the treaty with 130 votes in favor, 10 against, and 5 abstentions.

However, the government made reservations on five provisions, including those related to the definition of a child’s age, freedom of conscience and religion, protection of privacy, child marriage, and adoption of orphans.

Speaker of Parliament Aden Mohamed Nur (Sheikh Aden Madobe) announced the treaty was ratified with the exceptions of the five articles.

“Members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia voted on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, with 130 lawmakers approving, 10 opposing, and five abstaining,” said a statement released by Speaker Adan Madobe’s office.

Local youth activists have condemned the move, saying it effectively leaves Somali children — particularly girls — vulnerable to forced marriages and sexual abuse.

“This decision undermines decades of progress on child protection and women’s rights,” said Abdullahi Abdirahman, an activist in Mogadishu. “By refusing to ban child marriage, Parliament is failing to protect the most vulnerable.”

We are very concerned because, under this law, if an older man wants to marry you, you simply cannot say no,” says Aisha Mohamud, a nursing student at Banadir University.

Under Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. However, the reservations made to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, according to several members of parliament, are part of ongoing efforts to amend the country’s constitution.

For example, in the draft Somali translation of the African Charter, the Somali Cabinet wrote to Parliament stating that Somalia does not recognize anyone under 18 as a child, claiming that such a definition contradicts Sharia law.

But sources say the proposed amendment is being strongly pushed by extremist clerics who hold significant influence within the government.

Such an amendment, which would set the age of “maturity” at 15, would put girls at greater risk of child marriage—a practice that harms their health, particularly their reproductive health, and limits their access to education and protection from other forms of abuse, Human Rights Watch warned.

According to Girls Not Brides, an international organization working to end child marriage, 17 percent of girls in Somalia are married before the age of 15, and 36 percent before 18.

Abdalle Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), said the move reflects a worrying trend of shrinking rights and growing violence against women in Somalia.

“This is not just about child marriage—it’s about rolling back fundamental freedoms and human rights in Somalia,” Mumin said. “When lawmakers use the extremist version of interpretation to justify the exploitation of children, it sends a dangerous message and it shows that women and girls are not safe in Somalia.”

Journalists and activists who speak out against this risk intimidation or arrest, but Mumin says media must continue to expose these injustices.

The post Somali Lawmakers Exclude Ban on Child Marriage from Child Rights Treaty appeared first on Kaab TV.

Lawmakers clashed inside the chambers after Speaker Madobe and his deputies allegedly refused to table the impeachment motion for debate.

As the session was due to start, a heated session descended into violence, leaving several opposition MPs bruised and journalists physically assaulted and later removed.

It was the second time in two weeks that a parliamentary session ended in disorder, leading to yet another abrupt adjournment.

Controversial order banning 20 opposition

In response to the unrest, Speaker Madobe issued a controversial order banning 20 opposition MPs and three pro-government lawmakers from attending future sessions, accusing them of inciting the chaos.

“I instruct the parliamentary secretary-general to begin enforcing this order against those who caused disruption in the House,” he declared.

BREAKING: Speaker of Parliament,’s Lower House Sheikh Aden Madobe has just announced that he stopped pursuing his illegal expulsion of MP @MPDrAbib from the Somalia Federal Parliament.

“I have decided to return the issue to the Parliament’s ethics committee to decide on the next… pic.twitter.com/dkFaZM0PR7

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) April 29, 2025

The turmoil traces back to Madobe’s earlier decision to expel outspoken opposition MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib, a diaspora-based lawmaker critical of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Abib has frequently raised concerns about government corruption, particularly related to contracts and donor funds.

However, on Tuesday, the Speaker rescinded the expulsion, referring the matter to the parliamentary ethics subcommittee.

Despite this reversal, opposition MPs pushed forward with their impeachment efforts.

MP Abdirashid Hiddig said they intended to present the motion on Wednesday and expected Madobe to step aside from chairing the session in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

“Once the Speaker is under impeachment, he must step down from his role during the session, and one of his deputies should preside over the meeting,” Hiddig stated.

Neither of the Speaker’s deputies attended, and Madobe attempted to continue chairing the session himself.

As tempers flared, Madobe reportedly hurled insults at vocal MPs, including using derogatory language against a lawmaker living with a physical disability.

The remarks provoked outrage within the parliament and across Somali civil society.

“This Speaker has violated the dignity of MPs with disabilities. This is a human rights violation,” said MP Hiddig. “The world needs to know he cannot lead the Somali parliament with such conduct.”

The National Coalition for Disability Rights condemned Madobe’s comments, urging him to issue a public apology and uphold respectful discourse in the House.

“Disability should never be used to silence, discredit, or diminish anyone’s participation,” the coalition said in a statement. “Such language undermines dignity, equality, and inclusive democratic values.”

Several political figures, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, have also denounced the Speaker’s behavior and called for calm and accountability.

The ongoing crisis threatens to derail critical legislative functions and deepen political instability in Somalia, as lawmakers remain divided and public confidence in the parliament wanes.

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