Somalia’s Parliamentary Turmoil: A Waiting Game

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The echoes of a legislative chamber devoid of the usual fervor speak volumes. For more than two weeks, Somalia’s parliament, a beacon of the nation’s democratic aspirations, has stood silent. Why, you ask? The anticipated resumption of sessions has come and gone, yet the doors remain firmly shut.

The chambers of government, normally bustling with debate, have been on hiatus since December. Lawmakers, decked out in suits and determination, were slated to return on February 1, 2025. But as with many things, reality often diverges from plans drawn on paper.

Intrigue wafts through the corridors of power. An impeachment motion, a daunting force, looms over the Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud like a specter. Parliamentary insiders, sharing whispers with Kaab TV, suggest the Speaker of the House finds himself ensnared in a classic parliamentary quagmire.

In the Office of the Speaker of the Lower House—known to some as the People’s House—Speaker Aden Mohamed Nur, often referred to by his nickname, Aden Madobe, appears to be wearing the weight of Sisyphus. The daunting prospect of a large cohort of MPs rallying behind the impeachment motion only adds to the dilemma. Instability, it seems, is the uninvited guest if parliament were to reconvene now.

“The Speaker is attempting to untangle this web before the session begins,” shared one source.

But how long can this delicate balance be maintained? Opposition MPs, cloaked in anonymity for fear of reprisal, have made it clear—they are readying themselves with over 200 pens mightier than the sword, poised to act if Speaker Madobe continues to stall.

Among their contingency plans is the idea of a parallel parliamentary session, possibly setting up shop in a more secure corner of the country. Such a bold maneuver could potentially alter the political landscape as we edge closer to the 2026 elections, highlighting the precarious nature of engagement in Somali politics.

The clarion call for impeachment arises from accusations that could unravel the fabric of governance. Charges of grave constitutional breaches, corruption, and human rights violations target the current regime. “We demand accountability,” say the voices of the aggrieved.

Interestingly, regional states like Jubaland and Puntland, often carved out of the tumultuous geography of Somali politics, have cast their lot with those championing the impeachment drive.

Inside the gilded walls of Villa Somalia, the President’s official residence, whispers suggest President Hassan Sheikh is employing diplomacy to de-escalate tensions. Negotiations are reportedly underway to replace the Prime Minister with a fresher face, potentially that of Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Doodishe—an individual whose roots trace back to the same Daarood clan, ensuring continuity amidst change.

For the political aficionados, here’s a tidbit: Somalia’s 2012 Provisional Constitution mandates that the House of the People must convene twice yearly, carving out at least four months per session. In a twist of fate, 2024 saw an amendment that extended the parliamentary term from four to five years, effective from April 2022. Adjustments to governance are often sewn amidst the waves of time.

What circumstances delay parliament’s communion? It’s not unheard of for political instability, security threats, or logistical dilemmas to cast a long shadow, obscuring the path to legislative engagement.

And when they do, the Provisional Constitution provides a lifeline: the Speaker has the power to summon an extraordinary session. Alternatively, if a fifth of the parliament puts pen to paper, they too can demand assembly.

These legal machinations, though complex, are the arteries through which the lifeblood of a nation pumps. After all, is democracy not a tapestry woven from the threads of such challenges?

As the nation holds its breath, one question echoes: when will the silence break?

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring