MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The scheduled opening of the 7th session of Somalia’s Parliament was delayed again on Saturday, amid reports that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud feared the session could descend into chaos, as opposition lawmakers reportedly prepared to disrupt his constitutionally mandated address.
In a letter sent to lawmakers by the parliamentary leadership, members were informed that the assembly’s opening had been postponed until Sept. 29. The delay came after President Mohamud wrote to Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur, also known as Adan Madobe, citing untold circumstances that prevented him from delivering his speech – a key requirement under the country’s constitution at the start of parliamentary sessions.
Local media reports, however, suggested the president acted after receiving intelligence about opposition lawmakers mobilizing to boo and disrupt his speech – an attempt to publicly undermine his authority.
Opposition MPs on Saturday issued a scathing statement accusing both the president and speaker of unlawfully prolonging the suspension of parliament to stifle legislative operations.
“The National Salvation Council MPs wish to notify the Somali people, politicians, intellectuals, and the international community that the Somali National Parliament has been suspended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe,” the statement read.
The ongoing suspension is not the only issue dogging Somalia’s federal government. A growing no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre – led by a majority of MPs from Puntland and Jubaland and supported by opposition lawmakers – has been gaining momentum for months.
Political analysts suggest President Mohamud is seeking to shield the prime minister from ouster, viewing Barre as a loyal ally whose removal could weaken the administration’s stability and complicate the president’s potential re-election bid.
Prime Minister Barre this week reaffirmed his allegiance to the president, stating he would not challenge him for the top office. He said that parliament leadership very closely works with him and helped the passing of many laws his government submitted without any hindrance.
The continued delay of parliamentary sessions has sparked growing concern among political observers and citizens alike, with uncertainty mounting over how far the government in Mogadishu is willing to go to avoid parliamentary oversight or public confrontation.
The unfolding tension mirrors scenes from the presidency of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo – when opposition MPs blew whistles to drown out the president’s speeches. Ironically, one of the key opposition figures supporting those protests at the time was none other than the current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who now appears determined to prevent a similar scenario under his own leadership.
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