More than 100 Somali lawmakers have denounced the expulsion of MP Abdullahi Abib, calling the decision by the Speaker of the House of the People unconstitutional and an abuse of power. They argue that the move violates Somalia’s legal framework and undermines democratic institutions.
The dispute began when the Speaker issued a directive on Saturday, removing Abib from Parliament and declaring his seat vacant. Lawmakers contend that the Speaker acted beyond his authority, insisting that such a decision requires parliamentary approval and adherence to due process.
The protesting MPs outlined several legal and procedural breaches, arguing that the expulsion does not adhere to Somalia’s constitutional and parliamentary guidelines:
Lack of Legal Justification: Article 59, Section (D), and Article 8 of Somalia’s parliamentary rules specify that an MP’s seat can only be declared vacant under legally defined circumstances. Lawmakers maintain that the Speaker’s directive does not meet these conditions.
Violation of Parliamentary Immunity: Article 70, Section 9, Subsection 5, of the Provisional Constitution states that an MP’s immunity can only be revoked through a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote in Parliament. The lawmakers stress that no such vote was conducted before Abib’s removal.
Overreach of Authority: Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure limits the Speaker’s powers, which do not include the authority to expel MPs unilaterally.
Breach of Parliamentary Process: The expulsion contradicts Article 6, Section 2, which outlines the procedures for legislative sessions and recesses. MPs argue that removing an elected official outside of the prescribed process is a misuse of power.
The 106 lawmakers are demanding that the Speaker rescind the expulsion and issue a formal apology to Parliament and the Somali public. They warn that failure to reverse the decision could set a dangerous precedent, weakening public trust in governance and threatening democratic stability.
