Opposition Blocks Somali Parliament Debate on Constitutional Amendments, Sparking Chaos

Somalia parliament descends into chaos as opposition blocks constitutional debate in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house erupted into chaos Monday as opposition lawmakers shut down the opening of a debate on sweeping constitutional amendments, occupying the speaker’s seat, blocking entrances to the chamber and forcing the suspension of proceedings.

The confrontation came as Parliament prepared to take up proposed changes to chapters five through nine of the provisional constitution — a politically charged package that has exposed deep rifts within Somalia’s federal institutions and raised alarms about the trajectory of the country’s fragile political transition.

• Opposition MPs barricaded access points and prevented Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe from entering the hall.
• Independent journalists were barred from the parliamentary compound, triggering protests from some lawmakers.
• Microphones and sound equipment were vandalized, silencing the session and derailing the agenda.
• Several lawmakers were injured amid scuffles as tensions spilled into physical confrontations.

Lawmakers shouted over one another as the standoff escalated, with opposition members tearing up the day’s agenda and accusing the federal government of attempting to ram through constitutional revisions without consensus. The turmoil led to minor injuries among multiple MPs. Legislator Adar Hareed was hospitalized after suffering a leg injury; she later accused a security officer of causing it.

Independent media were denied entry to the compound as the confrontation unfolded, prompting protests from several MPs. Among them, Abdirahman Abdishakuur Warsame intervened to demand access for journalists, arguing that transparency was essential during a high-stakes constitutional debate.

Inside the chamber, opposition MPs dismantled microphones and other sound equipment, rendering the public address system unusable and bringing the speaker’s planned remarks to a halt. With the House of the People unable to proceed, the sitting was suspended.

The unrest did not dissipate in the days that followed. On Wednesday, lawmakers from rival camps reportedly exchanged punches as confrontations continued, underscoring the depth of the crisis. Among those involved were Senator Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, Somalia’s minister of internal security, and MP Hassan Firinbi — all elected from the Jubaland regional state — highlighting both the national and regional stakes in the confrontation.

The session had been intended as a formal introduction to proposed constitutional amendments submitted to Parliament. Instead, it exposed a widening political chasm. Opponents of the changes allege the amendments are designed to extend the term of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and consolidate executive power. They argue the process lacks adequate public consultation and broad parliamentary backing, raising fears of a unilateral rewrite of Somalia’s provisional charter.

Supporters of revisiting the constitution argue Somalia needs clearer rules to stabilize governance and accelerate state-building. But Monday’s collapse of parliamentary order, followed by additional confrontations midweek, points to a political process that is hemorrhaging trust just as the country faces urgent security and governance challenges.

The turmoil in Mogadishu throws fresh uncertainty over the fate of the proposed amendments and the credibility of the broader political transition. With the chamber’s proceedings disrupted and the public shut out of key deliberations, Somalia’s leadership faces rising pressure to de-escalate, restore transparency and seek consensus before attempting any further constitutional steps.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.