Somalia’s Parliament in Turmoil as Lawmakers Clash Over Constitution Changes
Somalia’s fragile political process was thrown into disarray on Wednesday as a joint session of parliament erupted in scuffles and shouting, forcing an abrupt suspension. The turmoil centered on a surprise attempt by the parliament speaker to advance sweeping amendments to the nation’s provisional constitution, a move opposition lawmakers decried as a power grab.
The disorder began when Speaker Adan Madobe presented an unexpected agenda to amend five chapters of the constitution and distributed written copies to lawmakers. Opposition members immediately objected, claiming the proposed changes would effectively extend parliament’s current mandate by two years. The terms of both parliament and the president are set to expire in April and May of this year, respectively.
A Familiar Path Toward Crisis
The scene exposed the deep, unresolved divisions that have plagued Somalia’s attempts to finalize a permanent constitution since adopting a provisional one in 2012. At the heart of the debate are fundamental questions about governance and power-sharing between the federal government in Mogadishu and the country’s regional states.
This latest confrontation carries worrying echoes of a recent crisis. In 2021, a similar attempt to extend political mandates under former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed triggered a constitutional crisis, armed confrontations in the capital, and pushed the nation to the brink of wider unrest.
Confrontation Halts Proceedings
Videos circulating on social media captured the intensity of the session, showing a physical confrontation between Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail and opposition lawmaker Hassan Yare. In the chamber, lawmakers opposed to the move tore up agenda papers, shouted slogans, and blew whistles, bringing all business to a halt.
Opposition lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsameh accused Speaker Madobe of attempting to rush the amendments through without proper procedural steps. Faced with the uproar, Madobe adjourned the session, warning of disciplinary measures against those responsible for the disruptions.
The speaker has not yet commented publicly, and it remains unclear when, or if, deliberations on the contentious amendments will resume.
Wednesday’s chaos underscores the precarious state of Somalia’s democratic institutions. As critical election deadlines loom, the spectacle of lawmakers coming to blows over the foundational rules of the state threatens not only political stability but also the hard-won, incremental progress the nation has made in recent years. The path forward requires dialogue and consensus, but the day’s events revealed just how wide the chasm of trust has become.
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