MOGADISHU — Chaotic scenes and violent confrontations erupted on Wednesday at Villa Hargeisa, the seat of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, when opposition legislators forcibly prevented a scheduled session to discuss proposed constitutional revisions.
The disruptions resulted in injuries among lawmakers and led to the complete cancellation of parliamentary activities, exacerbating deep-seated political divisions regarding the administration’s reform agenda.
Session Blocked
Opposition MPs reportedly seized control of the speaker’s podium early in the day and sealed all access routes to the legislative chamber, effectively barring Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe) from entering the assembly.
Observers confirmed that microphones and audio systems were deliberately damaged during the standoff, preventing any official proceedings from commencing. The opposition maintains that the draft constitutional changes are inadequate and allege they are designed to irregularly prolong the tenure of governmental bodies—a claim the Federal Government has repeatedly refuted.
Injuries and Allegations
Amid the disturbances, violent exchanges occurred between parliament members and security forces stationed at the facility.
MP Cadar Xareed required hospitalization after sustaining a leg wound during the scuffle. She asserted that security personnel were responsible for her injury, a charge that has intensified friction between opposition factions and the executive. Reports indicate that additional legislators received minor injuries during physical altercations within the chamber.
Media Restricted
Compounding the tension, independent journalists were denied entry to the parliamentary complex, with security personnel refusing them access at the primary entrance.
MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame and other opposition figures strongly criticized this restriction, demanding unhindered media coverage of parliamentary proceedings to ensure transparency.
Context of the Dispute
Wednesday’s confrontation followed a decision by parliamentary leadership the previous day to suspend and penalize 18 MPs for allegedly interfering with earlier sessions.
Somalia has faced prolonged challenges in establishing and ratifying a permanent constitution, with recurring disagreements over governance structures and power distribution historically causing political deadlocks.
