Somalia’s Parliament Approves $1.38 Billion 2026 Budget Amid Chaos
MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a raucous joint sitting, Somalia’s federal parliament on Tuesday approved a national budget of $1,386,807,242 for the 2026 fiscal year, pushing the spending plan through despite loud and repeated procedural disruptions on the floor.
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Parliamentary officials said 174 lawmakers voted in favor, four opposed it and one abstained. The vote capped a session in which interruptions and objections forced pauses but did not derail the tally.
The passage of the 2026 budget sets the government’s spending ceiling as Somalia navigates persistent security threats, inflationary pressures and the challenge of rebuilding institutions after years of conflict. The bill now moves to the president for signature before implementation on Jan. 1, pending standard legal formalities.
While lawmakers did not release a detailed line-by-line breakdown during the volatile session, the annual budget traditionally underwrites core government services, civil servant salaries, security operations against the al-Shabab insurgency and social programs strained by drought, flooding and displacement. The spending plan also signals to international partners that Somalia intends to maintain fiscal operations and ongoing reforms tied to debt relief and economic stabilization.
The noisy scenes in the chamber underscored the political strains that often accompany major appropriations in Somalia’s fledgling federal system. Disputes over procedure and timing have flared in prior budget cycles, reflecting wider tensions over revenue-sharing, oversight and the balance of authority between the central government and federal member states.
Somalia’s public finances rely on a blend of domestic revenue and external grants, and the government has pledged to continue strengthening tax administration, public financial management and transparency to meet reform benchmarks. Budget approval is a key step toward assuring continuity of services and keeping donor-backed programs on track, even as security and climate shocks test the treasury’s resilience.
Officials did not immediately outline implementation changes for 2026, but the spending plan is expected to prioritize payments to frontline security forces, support for vulnerable communities and investments aimed at improving basic services in major urban centers and recovering regions. Lawmakers said further details would be made available as ministries finalize allocations and procurement plans in the coming weeks.
Despite the chaotic backdrop, Tuesday’s vote provides the legal framework for the state to collect and spend funds in the year ahead. Administratively, the next steps include presidential assent, publication, and the issuance of budget circulars guiding ministries, departments and agencies on disbursements and reporting requirements.
By the numbers
- Total budget: $1,386,807,242
- Vote tally: 174 in favor, 4 against, 1 abstention
- Chambers: Joint session of both houses of the federal parliament
Why it matters
- Anchors core government functions and payrolls in 2026
- Signals continuity of fiscal reform efforts to international partners
- Sets priorities amid security operations and climate-related recovery needs
With the spending plan approved, attention now shifts from the tumult on the floor to execution—ensuring that promised funds reach security units, local administrations and citizens, and that oversight bodies can track every shilling in a year when Somalia’s stability, services and reform credibility all hinge on what the budget delivers.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
