MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A motion to remove Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, is gaining momentum within the country’s parliament, sparking a political crisis that has forced President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the premier into urgent talks to defuse the situation.
The escalating tensions come as MPs from key regional states push for a no-confidence vote, threatening to destabilize the fragile government.
President Mohamud and Prime Minister Barre held a late-night meeting on Tuesday to address the growing dissent. The two leaders reportedly agreed to dismiss several key ministers from Southwest, Jubaland, and Puntland states, accusing them of failing to prevent MPs from their regions from supporting the motion, Shabelle TV reported.
Additionally, they plan to appoint influential figures to undermine the motion’s progress and prevent it from being tabled when parliament reconvenes on Saturday.
The motion, which has been simmering for months, was previously suppressed by Parliament Speaker Adan Madobe, a government ally. However, Caasimada Online reports that the motion could now resurface, as MPs from Jubaland, Southwest, and Puntland—regions at odds with the federal government—rally behind the effort to unseat the prime minister.
This political maneuver is not unprecedented in Somalia’s turbulent parliamentary history. Under President Mohamud’s previous term, two prime ministers were ousted, and his current administration has been accused of using bribes and strategic appointments to stifle dissent and push through constitutional amendments without proper deliberation.
However, this time, the president appears determined to protect his loyal prime minister, marking a departure from past practices where presidents often supported no-confidence motions against their premiers.
The situation remains precarious, with parliament’s reopening—originally scheduled for February 6—postponed to February 22 in an attempt to cool tensions. Yet, efforts to shield Prime Minister Barre from the motion have so far failed, leaving the government in a vulnerable position.
The motion’s success remains uncertain, as it lacks the backing of both the president and the speaker—a critical factor in previous ousters. Notably, the 2020 removal of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, which took just seven minutes without prior notice, was orchestrated with strong support from then-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and the parliament speaker. Without similar backing, the current motion faces significant hurdles.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
