Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine stepping into the world of politics in Somalia, where every decision can ripple through a nation hungry for stable governance. In a striking development, a collective of over 100 Somali MPs has raised their voices against what they perceive as an unjust expulsion of their colleague, MP Abdullahi Abib. Their protest is more than just a call for justice; it’s an assertion that the decision made by the Speaker of the House is unconstitutional and embodies a worrying misuse of power.
The uproar was ignited when, on what seemed to be an ordinary Saturday, the Speaker issued a bold directive. This directive aimed at removing MP Abib from Parliament, while also declaring his seat, a position earned through democratic processes, vacant. Herein lies the controversy—lawmakers strongly believe that such a consequential decision cannot be made in isolation. In their view, it demands the due diligence of parliamentary debate and adherence to proper procedures. It not only challenges the Speaker’s authority but questions the robustness of Somalia’s democratic fabric. Have we become too complacent in accepting such unilateral decisions in governance?
Digging deeper into the matter, the protesting MPs have outlined several critical breaches within the legal and procedural framework, making their case impossible to ignore:
- Lack of Legal Justification: Articles 59, Section (D), and Article 8 of Somalia’s parliamentary rules clearly state that an MP’s seat can only be declared vacant under certain conditions. A sentiment echoed by many, the lawmakers argue that the Speaker’s decree does not fulfill these prerequisites. How can democracy flourish if foundational rules are bypassed so effortlessly?
- Violation of Parliamentary Immunity: According to Article 70, Section 9, Subsection 5, of the Provisional Constitution, an MP’s immunity is safeguarded and can be revoked only by a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament—an essential safeguard meant to protect representatives from political witch-hunts. The MPs assert that no such vote occurred before the move to oust Abib. Isn’t it essential for democracy to protect its elected voices rather than silence them whimsically?
- Overreach of Authority: The rules are clear—Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure delineates the Speaker’s powers, notably excluding the ability to expel MPs singlehandedly. This action has raised pertinent concerns about the potential for power concentration.
- Breach of Parliamentary Process: Article 6, Section 2, lays out the roadmap for how legislative sessions and recesses should be conducted. Removing an elected official outside these parameters is viewed as an stark example of procedural deviation, a move that, some opine, chips away at trust in the institution.
These 106 lawmakers are not merely airing grievances; they are imploring the Speaker to retract the expulsion and issue a formal apology to Parliament and, crucially, to the Somali public. They caution that if this decision is allowed to stand, it may establish a perilous precedent. One that may erode public confidence in governance and threaten the very essence of democratic stability. Is it not time to reflect on how power is wielded and to whom it is accountable?
As this saga unfolds, it leaves us with a question that’s as old as democracy itself: “In our pursuit of order and governance, have we unwittingly endangered the virtues that sustain it?”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
