Mogadishu, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to address the joint opening of the seventh session of the Federal Parliament on Monday, delivering a closely watched speech to both the House of the People and the Upper House.
According to parliamentary sources, the President’s speech will primarily focus on the nation’s political trajectory and ongoing security operations against Al-Shabaab militants. Lawmakers anticipate remarks on the federal government’s reform agenda, military gains under Operation Black Lion, and efforts to stabilize recently liberated areas.
However, the session convenes under a cloud of political tension. The opening had been delayed twice in recent weeks for reasons not officially disclosed — though insiders attribute the postponements to simmering disagreements between political stakeholders over proposed constitutional amendments and the yet-to-be-finalized model for the 2026 national elections.
Key sticking points include the structure of Somalia’s future governance system, the distribution of powers between federal and state authorities, and whether the country will transition to universal suffrage or maintain the current indirect electoral framework.
Political observers say President Hassan Sheikh’s address may set the tone for upcoming negotiations, determining whether the legislative season will bring consensus or heighten existing divisions.
Security has been tightened in the capital ahead of the session, with joint forces deployed around Villa Hargeisa, the parliamentary compound, to prevent potential disruptions.
All eyes now turn to the President — and whether his message will unify or further polarize the political arena.