MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has failed in his latest attempt to secure parliamentary approval for additional amendments to key chapters of the country’s provisional constitution, after fierce resistance from opposition lawmakers plunged parliament into turmoil.
Tensions erupted last week when the Speaker of the House of the People, Adan Madobe, unexpectedly announced that the parliamentary agenda would focus on debating changes to five chapters of the provisional constitution. Documents outlining the proposed amendments were distributed to MPs moments before the session began.
Opposition lawmakers reacted angrily, accusing the leadership of ambushing parliament with far-reaching constitutional changes. The chamber quickly descended into chaos as MPs blew whistles, shouted and tore up the amendment papers intended for debate. The Speaker, a close ally of President Mohamud, was unable to restore order and eventually walked out of the chamber.
The turmoil escalated further when the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag, was seen punching another MP amid the disorder on the floor of the house.
In an effort to push ahead with the president’s constitutional agenda, the leadership of Somalia’s bicameral parliament this week barred a number of opposition MPs from attending several sessions and sought to resume parliamentary business. However, the move backfired, triggering fresh confrontations.
Opposition MPs arrived early at the parliamentary complex on Monday and clashed with police officers deployed to secure the building. The scuffles left several lawmakers with minor injuries and again disrupted proceedings.
The protesting MPs argue that the parliamentary session has already ended and that members are entitled to a recess, making any attempt to continue legislative business unlawful. They also warn that pushing through further constitutional amendments without broad political consultation risks deepening existing disputes.
Opposition lawmakers say earlier amendments were passed after being introduced by the government without adequate engagement with political stakeholders, and that the latest proposals threaten to further inflame tensions at a time of heightened political fragility.
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