Mogadishu, Somalia – The two Houses of Parliament met in a rare joint sitting today, moving the country a step closer to concluding its review of Somalia’s 2024 budget execution report. The chamber, filled with lawmakers from across the federation, spent hours dissecting the government’s financial performance over the past year.
The discussion was more than a procedural obligation. It carried the weight of a nation still rebuilding its institutions, and many legislators used the platform to voice concerns shaped by their constituencies’ everyday realities—from delayed public services to economic pressures facing families and small businesses.
The Finance Minister walked the assembly through the government’s spending and revenue patterns, fielding a steady stream of questions. His explanations, at times technical, were aimed at reassuring lawmakers that the country’s financial management was on a steadier footing than in previous years. Members listened closely, some nodding, others taking notes, as they probed gaps and pressed for clarity on missed targets and emerging fiscal challenges.
By the end of the session, the focus shifted from debate to action. Parliamentary committees were formally assigned to consolidate all views and prepare the report for its third and final reading. Their task now is to refine the document in a way that reflects both the government’s narrative and the lawmakers’ calls for stronger accountability.
Once the committees complete their work, Parliament will reconvene for a decisive vote. For many Somalis watching from afar—business owners tracking tax reforms, civil servants hoping for timely salaries, and families feeling the pinch of rising costs—the outcome will signal how firmly the country is advancing toward financial discipline and transparent governance.
Today’s session did not settle every concern, but it reaffirmed a growing commitment within Somalia’s political institutions: that public finances must be scrutinized, debated, and ultimately approved in full view of the people they affect.