MPs

Somali police seize control of parliament; lawmakers report threats of lethal force MOGADISHU, Feb. 7 — Armed police units took control of Somalia’s Federal Parliament main hall on Saturday, paralyzing proceedings as lawmakers said officers threatened to open fire on anyone attempting to speak and a female representative was physically assaulted during a chaotic standoff. Witnesses and parliamentary sources said police deployed inside the House of the People imposed extraordinary restrictions that blocked members of…

Two opposition Members of Parliament were arrested while performing official committee duties, prompting accusations that the independence and safety of the legislature are under threat and a parliamentary boycott by the main opposition party. Opposition leaders said the arrests — of two MPs who serve on the Budget and Transport committees — took place during formal committee work and were made on allegations of corruption. They accused Speaker Sameer Suleman of failing to protect Parliament and urged him to press the…

Labour MPs will meet Saturday amid mounting speculation that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could seek a return to Westminster in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a move that would test the prime minister’s authority and the party’s internal discipline. The gathering of Labour MPs from north-west England comes as senior figures weigh whether Burnham should be allowed to enter the race to succeed Andrew Gwynne, who formally resigned his Greater Manchester seat on Friday, triggering a by-election. Burnham has long…

Labour MPs from northwest England will gather amid rising speculation that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could seek to stand in a forthcoming Westminster by-election in Gorton and Denton — a move that would test the Prime Minister’s authority and reshape Labour’s internal dynamics. The meeting comes as party figures weigh whether Burnham, long viewed as a potential rival for the party leadership, will enter the race triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, the former MP for the Greater Manchester seat. Burnham…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has welcomed an appellate ruling that clears the way for the country’s elected representatives to take their seats in the East African Legislative Assembly, ending months of legal uncertainty over Somalia’s participation in the regional body. In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry congratulated the nine lawmakers chosen by Somalia’s Federal Parliament to represent the country in EALA, calling the court’s decision a key step toward…

MOGADISHU — Federal ministers and lawmakers from North Western State of Somalia’s regions of Sool, Sanaag and Awdal on Saturday condemned Israel’s decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, pledging full support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Speaking at a news conference in Mogadishu, the officials called the move unacceptable and an attempt to divide Somalia, aligning themselves with the federal government’s position rejecting any action they said undermines the country’s…

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State’s minister of security on Sunday urged the federal government to hand over federal legislator Dahir Amiin Jeesow to the regional administration to face trial over allegations he helped instigate deadly clan clashes in Lower Shabelle. Speaking to reporters in Baidoa, Security Minister Hassan Abdukadir accused the member of parliament of acting as a spoiler in Walanweyn district and across parts of the Lower Shabelle region, where a recent surge of inter-clan violence has strained local…

Jubaland's Chief Bids Federal MPs for Powwow in Kismayo Amid Turmoil KISMAYO, Somalia — Ahmed Madobe, the head honcho of Jubaland, has beckoned federal lawmakers tied to Jubaland to huddle up in Kismayo to chat about the country’s stormy political scene. What set this in motion? Well, two bigwigs from Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's team, both hailing from Jubaland, decided to call it quits. Their departures are stirring the pot, showing the rising tension between the big shots in the federal government and the local…

Mogadishu (AX) – Lawmakers affiliated with the SSC-Khatumo administration have flatly declined an invitation to a meeting in Garowe. This gathering, initiated by Northeastern State's key figure, Said Deni, was aimed at convening federal MPs representing the Northeastern State constituency.According to recent reports, representatives from Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn, regions known collectively as the SSC-Khatumo administration, have reiterated their allegiance to the decision made in February 2023 by SSC elders. This decision…

Southwest Region's Leader Applauds Federal MPs for Their Backing of Pro-Ethiopian Troop Demonstrations Baidoa (AX) — Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the leader of the Southwest region, expressed his approval on Monday for the federal lawmakers from the area who stood firm in their support for demonstrations advocating for Ethiopian military presence in the Bay and Bakool regions. During his remarks in Baidoa, Laftagareen likened the backing of these 25 parliamentarians to the spirit of the 13-SYL youth initiative.…