President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convinced Somalia’s parliament to extend its session this month, deferring its scheduled break to tackle critical legislative matters, particularly those concerning the upcoming elections. 181 MPs endorsed the call, while 12 opposed it, thus validating the initiative for continued legislative work.
Originally scheduled to begin their break on November 6, lawmakers will remain in session until early December.
During a joint session of both chambers on Saturday, President Mohamud pleaded for legislative action, stating, “A law that does not originate here cannot guide decisions for the Somali people. If you do not seize this opportunity, chaos and conflict will resurface. Therefore, it is vital that you postpone your break this month to focus on these critical issues.”
In his address, the president outlined specific tasks for MPs, including prioritizing electoral laws necessary for free and fair elections. Legislators are also tasked with finalizing plans that have received cabinet approval, which require parliamentary endorsement. Additionally, MPs will work on ratifying a communique from a national consultative conference involving various regional administrations despite the absence of Puntland and Jubaland.
The recent endorsement of the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreement, approved by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Mogadishu’s mayor, and three regional leaders, has established a roadmap for the elections. This roadmap sets local, regional, and municipal elections for June 2025, with parliamentary and presidential elections planned for September 2025. The NCC also called for the creation of a National Independent Electoral Commission to oversee the electoral process.
Despite advancements in electoral reforms, including initiatives for universal suffrage, the NCC timetable has encountered resistance from certain opposition groups. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe have expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of the election schedule.
MP Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene expressed his support for the president’s request, stressing the importance of passing critical laws before the session concludes in the first week of November. “The president has requested an additional month to pass these important laws,” he stated.
Beenebeene further stressed the importance of conducting free and fair elections, stating, “The constitution mandates that every Somali citizen has the right to vote in this country.”
Conversely, MP Dahir Amin Jeesow raised concerns about the legality of the president’s request, noting that the constitution does not allow for extending the parliamentary break by one month. “Article 66 of the constitution stipulates that parliament has two sessions each year, with one lasting four months, followed by a two-month recess,” Jeesow explained.
He criticized the rationale behind the request, arguing that it undermines established legislative processes. “The purpose of the break is for the president to present election laws. The internal rules of the House of the People state that legislation can only be submitted during the first two months of each session. If that time frame is exceeded, no new legislation can be introduced,” he stated.
Jeersow cautioned that even if the president’s request is granted, it would not facilitate the passage of any current legislation.
