parliament

The former leader of Senegal, Macky Sall, is at the forefront of the opposition coalition as the nation gears up for its upcoming parliamentary elections. In a candid letter directed to his supporters, Sall laid out the concerning realities facing the country, nearly eight months after he stepped down from the presidency. "In just a few short weeks, our sovereign rating has been lowered not once but twice by separate agencies," he noted, highlighting the worrisome economic climate that Senegal is navigating, as reported by…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's parliament, armed with two chambers, has given a thumbs-up to a $1.3 billion budget, marking a high point over the years. This financial plan is set to boost various economic sectors, including funding for ongoing infrastructure projects. This approval covers both spending and income as outlined in the Appropriation Act for 2025, ensuring that many governmental departments can pursue their programs seamlessly over the next year. In a unanimous vote, MPs pushed the budget to $1.3 billion, a…

Mogadishu (AX) — The bicameral legislature of Somalia has greenlit a substantial budget of $1.36 billion for the fiscal year 2025, reflecting a robust increase of 24.4% over the previous year. This decision came during a parliamentary session held on Monday in the capital, Mogadishu. In attendance were 143 Members of Parliament and 32 senators. The First Deputy Speaker of the People's Assembly, Saadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, confirmed that an overwhelming majority of 172 lawmakers backed the budget, with only two MPs voting…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The usual pandemonium ensued in Somalia's parliament as contentious debates over electoral reforms took center stage. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requested lawmakers postpone their break to focus on the upcoming electoral process. Hassan Sheikh, returning for a second term, wants to adjust key electoral guidelines for a long-term shift. He aims to introduce universal suffrage, allowing every citizen to vote. Recognizing the pressing need for these reforms, Hassan Sheikh urged legislators to work…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somalia’s Parliament granted a one-month extension to its current session, responding to a request from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to postpone the lawmakers' recess in order to address urgent election legislation. Originally slated to begin their break on November 6, the Parliament will now continue its work until early December this year. In his address to the Parliament, President Mohamud highlighted the pressing need for reviewing and passing critical laws and agreements that require…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a balmy Wednesday evening in the heart of Mogadishu, Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre welcomed Speaker Dileita Mohamed Dileita of Djibouti's Parliament and his team to discuss fortifying the ties between their two nations.The Prime Minister underscored the crucial partnership between Somalia and Djibouti, emphasizing shared goals like development, mutual admiration, and maintaining peace. He extended heartfelt thanks to Djibouti for its unwavering backing in Somalia's journey of…

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the head honcho of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament, recently expressed serious concerns regarding the Speaker's decision to abruptly adjourn the assembly. He declared that the Speaker's move was misguided and hinted at his intentions to initiate a recall. This interruption by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin came amidst a heated contention over which party rightfully holds the majority in Parliament, a matter complicated by a recent shuffle of MPs switching allegiances ahead of the…

Farmajo Criticizes Somalia Govt Over Botched NCC Gathering, Calls for Parliamentary Measures MOGADISHU, Somalia - Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has fired sharp criticism at the Somalia federal government, questioning the mishandled National Consultative Council (NCC) assembly that floundered in addressing crucial national issues. The meeting, held in Mogadishu starting October 2, collapsed when Jubaland's leader, Ahmed Madobe, exited and headed back to Kismayo, following a standstill over Villa…

This morning, prominent European Union officials launched a fierce critique of Hungary's Viktor Orban, denouncing his erosion of democratic principles and his pro-Russian stance regarding the Ukraine crisis. Orban’s address in the European Parliament took center stage, prompting sharp responses from across the political spectrum. As Vladimir Putin’s staunchest ally in the EU, Orban’s regime remains at odds with fellow member states on several pressing matters—ranging from delaying assistance for Ukraine to undermining the…

On Tuesday, Kenyan legislators cast their votes on a proposal to kick the deputy president out of office. This followed an intense day of discussions, featuring a personal appearance by Rigathi Gachagua in parliament. He came to argue against accusations, including claims that he backed anti-government demonstrations in June. The resolution to impeach sailed through with a commanding 281 votes in favor, against only 44 dissenting votes—far surpassing the 117-vote threshold set by the constitution. The proposal now heads to…