Wednesday February 26, 2025
Somali Parliament Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe presides over a parliamentary session in Mogadishu. The session was postponed due to a lack of quorum, as only 137 lawmakers attended—two short of the required number. The speaker issued a stern warning to absent MPs, emphasizing the need for full participation in legislative duties.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Parliament failed to hold a session on Wednesday due to a lack of quorum, delaying key legislative proceedings and fueling speculation over a possible no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s government.
Only 137 MPs attended, falling just two members short of the required quorum. Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe condemned the absences, particularly those of lawmakers abroad, warning that repeated failures to attend sessions would result in public disclosure of absentee MPs.
“This is a national duty, and it is disgraceful for Parliament to be unable to convene because of a lack of quorum,” Madobe said. “Lawmakers must take their responsibilities seriously. Those absent today have effectively stalled this session, and if this continues, we will begin naming those who fail to show up.”
The collapse of the session comes as political tensions are rising, with reports indicating that opposition MPs had been preparing to table a motion of no confidence against Barre’s government before the meeting was derailed. While the motion has yet to be formally introduced, its looming presence has deepened concerns over Somalia’s fractious political environment.
The failure to meet quorum underscores broader instability within Somalia’s legislative process, which has been marred by absenteeism and partisan gridlock. Earlier this month, the speakers of both parliamentary houses urged lawmakers to return to Mogadishu ahead of the resumption of Parliament on February 22, warning that prolonged absences could disrupt critical legislative functions.
That warning came amid growing opposition frustration, with some MPs threatening to hold parallel sessions if parliamentary sittings were further delayed. Opposition lawmakers have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of overstepping his authority and undermining the legislative process, particularly in electoral and security matters.
The sixth session of Parliament, officially opened by President Mohamud on February 22, was expected to focus on Somalia’s security situation, counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, and the transition to one-person, one-vote elections. In his address, Mohamud hailed recent military successes, the re-establishment of Somalia’s Air Force and Navy, and plans for the country’s first satellite launch center—a historic milestone for the Horn of Africa.
However, political disputes within Parliament have overshadowed these legislative priorities, particularly tensions between opposition lawmakers and the government. Somalia’s electoral roadmap, security funding, and constitutional amendments remain highly contentious issues that could further disrupt legislative proceedings.
With quorum challenges and internal divisions deepening, Parliament’s ability to function effectively remains in question, raising concerns over potential governance paralysis in the months ahead.
