commission

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday issued a formal warning to district administrations across the Banadir region, ordering them to ensure an open campaign environment and unhindered distribution of voter cards as the election period intensifies in Mogadishu and its surrounding districts. In a directive circulated to local officials, the Commission said political organizations and candidates are legally entitled to campaign without interference, and citizens must be able to…

Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has ordered a halt to the recruitment of new commissioners for Lesotho's electoral commission after a high court application challenged the constitutionality of the process. The applicants, who moved to the High Court, raised concerns about what they described as a "peculiar manner" in which an employment consulting firm was procured to assist the commission, and cited other unspecified irregularities that they say have marred the selection exercise. After hearing arguments from the parties,…

Somalia’s Upper House approves national human rights commissioners Somalia’s Upper House has approved the appointment of nine commissioners to the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a key step in formalizing the country’s human rights oversight architecture. The commissioners were sworn in immediately after the vote, completing the parliamentary endorsement process. Twenty-eight senators voted in favor during Wednesday’s session; one abstained. The House of the People approved the creation of the Commission on…

Somalia’s Parliament Approves Long-Awaited Human Rights Commission, Signaling a New Chapter for Accountability Mogadishu — Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Saturday approved the country’s first independent Human Rights Commission, a long-promised institution meant to investigate abuses, advise government, and help align the nation’s laws with international standards after decades of conflict and fragile governance. The vote, taken in a packed session chaired by the Speaker, passed overwhelmingly: 142 lawmakers voted in…

Mogadishu (AX) — Jubbaland's leadership, alongside its representatives in Somalia's federal Parliament, have declared their opposition to a newly sanctioned law that establishes the Independent National Electoral Commission. They argue it breaches constitutional principles and excludes them from pivotal discussions.On Saturday, a statement emerged from the corridors of power in Jubbaland, decrying the parliamentary proceedings as "unlawful" due to the absence of their own lawmakers and those from Northeastern State during…

Ay up, ever read a headline and thought, "Well, what’s the craic here?" Let me fill you in on the insider juice. Over in Mogadishu, it's not just the Somali tea brewing hot; their parliament's just given the green light to a law that’s set to shake up the election scene. They're gearing up for a voting system that'll finally hand over the ballot keys to every dude and dudette in the country. Now that’s what we call democracy getting its groove back! Gather 'round for espresso shots of democracy—173 lawmakers, snug in their…

The coastal city of Kismayo is buzzing with political uproar after Somalia’s Jubbaland state opposition factions took a firm stand. They’re giving the thumbs down to a freshly minted regional electoral commission put together by Jubbaland’s head honcho, President Ahmed Madobe. If they don’t see some changes, they’re talking about throwing their own election bash right there in Kismayo. These opposition groups are flipping the script on Madobe’s clout, calling his appointment of the seven-person crew for the Jubbaland…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Ethiopian Dialogue Commission is urging the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) to reevaluate its choice to withdraw from Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference. This decision, according to the Commission, could potentially destabilize the delicate peace deal between the two parties, established back in 2018.ONLF, which champions the cause for self-determination in Ethiopia’s Somali region, blames the government for reneging on crucial commitments, prompting them to abandon the conference mere days…

A Glimpse of the National Dialogue Commission Gathering in Ethiopia's Somali Region (Photo: public domain) On Sunday, the National Dialogue Commission embarked on a pivotal gathering in Ethiopia's Somali region, as detailed by BBC Amharic. A myriad of issues came under the spotlight during this session—everything from the structural composition of the government and possible constitutional revisions to the symbolism of the country's flag. Language officialdom and the interpretation of Ethiopia’s rich history were also up…

The saga surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is tangled with Ethiopia’s Red Sea ambitions, lighting up disputes along multiple fronts. Embarking on the intricate mission of fair Nile River usage, the freshly minted Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC) faces a rocky road. Conflicts simmering in the Horn of Africa add fuel to the fire. October 13 marked a turning point as the Cooperative Framework Agreement on the Nile sprang to life, transitioning us from the old Nile Basin Initiative to something fresh. The…