Parliament of Somalia

The Federal Parliament of Somalia is a key institution in the country's political system. As Somalia rebuilds after years of conflict, it's plays a crucial role in governance, lawmaking, and representation. The Parliament is a bicameral body composed of two chambers; the House of People (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Together, these chambers work to pass lows, approve the budget, and oversee the action of the executive branch. 

Historical Background

The parliamentary system in Somalia has been through various phases since 1960 when it gained independence. Since the fall of the military regime of Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has endured decades of instability and an operational governmental absence. In establishing a federal government representing all the various regions of the country, one such step was the reestablishment of the Federal Parliament. The Provisional Constitution adopted in 2012 sets out the functions and operations of the Parliament in Somalia's federalism.

Structure of the Parliament

• House of the People (Lower House)

The House of the People has 275 members representing different clans and regions of Somalia based on a 4.5 power-sharing formula used throughout the country. This formula doles out parliamentary seats between clans by providing equal shares of seats to major clans, while smaller minority groups receive a combined representation proportionately. The House of the People shall propose legislation and shall debate and pass it.

List of Speakers (Lower House)

The following is a list of individuals who have served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Somalia since its establishment.

Somali Republic (1960-1969)

1. Aden Abdulle Osman Daar - (1 July 1960-6 July 1960)

2. Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf - (6 July 1960-26 May 1964)

3. Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein - (26 May 1964-21 October 1969).

Somali Democratic Republic (1969-1991)

In Siad Barre's regime, the function of the Speaker was abandoned.

Transitional National Government (2000 - 2004)

4. Abdalla Derow Issak - (August  2000 - October 2004)

Transitional Federal Government (2004-2012)

5. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden - (January 2005-January 2007)

6. Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe - (31 January 2007-25 May 2010)

7. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden - (second term; 25 May 2010-20 August 2012).

Federal Government of Somalia (2012-Present)

8. Mohamed Osman Jawari - (28 August 2012-9 April 2018)

9. Abdiweli Sheikh Ibrahim Muudey - (Acting) - (9 April 2018 - 30 April 2018)

10. Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman - (30 April 2018 - 27 April 2022)

11. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Adan Madobe) - (second term; 27 April 2022 - Present).

The Speaker of the Parliament of Somalia oversees the House of People, which is the lower chamber of the Federal Parliament of Somalia. This includes giving a direction to parliament proceedings, monitoring that mandated procedures to make the laws are followed, and representing the parliament in its dealings with different government branches. 

• Senate (Upper House)

There are 54 senators representing the federal member states in Somalia. Senators are chosen not based on clan membership as in the Lower House but to represent the federal regions, reflecting Somalia's movement towards a federalist political framework. The Senate represents the interests of these regions and consequently reviews laws with special attention to those affecting the federal states. 

List of Speakers (Upper House)

The Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, also called the Senate, was set up in 2012 by the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia with representatives from the federal member states.

The chairpersons (speakers) of the Upper house since its inception are listed as follows:

1. Abdi Hashi Abdullahi.

Term: January 2017: Present.

Background: Abdi Hashi Abdullahi was elected the first Chairman of the Upper House of Somalia on January 22, 2017. He has had a paramount role in spearheading and coordinating the legislative tasks of the Upper House during a period characterized with political challenges and laying of federalism in Somalia. 

Legislative Power and Functions

The Federal Parliament has several key functions, including:

• Legislation: Parliament debates and passes bills, which it then submits to the President for approval. Laws about national matters such as security, economy, and international relations must have the supports of both the Lower House and the Upper House.

• Accountability of the Executive: Parliament oversees acts of the executive branch of government, exacting this accountability for decisions taken by the President and Prime Minister. It includes the authority to question ministers and scrutinize government programs.

• Budget Not Exception: Perhaps one of the most significant responsibilities carried out by Parliament under an enactment is the approval of the national budget. The government is required to obtain parliamentary approval for expenditure of all public expenditures.

• Election of the President: The Federal Parliament elects the President of Somalia. A joint sitting of both houses elects the President by secret ballot. 

Difficulties Facing the Parliament

The Federal Parliament, despite its key role in Somerset governance, continues to face several challenges, including,

• Security Problems: Ongoing insecurity in Somalia, particularly from the terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, for much of its activities on the ground makes it exceedingly hard to conduct parliamentary business. Threats against the parliamentarians seriously constrict their ability to work in the regions other than the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu.

• Clan-Based Politics: The clan-based system maintains peace and representation, but often it causses political gridlocks competing with clan-based interests. This delays the legislative activity, thus hampering national unity.

• Corruption and Influence of External Actors: The Somali Parliament has received accusations against its corruption and unduly external actors like foreign governments or powerful regional actors shaping the decision-making processes of the Parliament, damaging the credibility and independence of the Parliament.

• Weak Institutional Capability: Like many other government institutions in Somalia, the Parliament suffers from scarce resources and capacity. This limits its capabilities in drafting, debating, and implementing laws competently. Also, many members of Parliament lack experience in parliamentary norms and practices.