Federal Parliament of Somalia explained

Federal Parliament of Somalia
Native Name:Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya
Legislature:11th Somali Parliament
Coa Pic:Coat of arms of Somalia.svg
Coa Res:230px
House Type:Bicameral
Houses:Upper house (Senate)
Lower house (House of the People)
Leader1:Abdi Hashi Abdullahi[1]
Election1:22 January 2017
Election2:28 April 2022
Seats:275 MPs and 54 senators
Next Election1:TBD
Session Res:14 April 2022
Meeting Place:Mogadishu, Somalia

The Federal Parliament of Somalia (Somali: Golaha Shacabka Soomaaliya; often Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya; Arabic: البرلمان الاتحادي في الصومال) is the national parliament of Somalia. Formed in August 2012, it is based in the capital Mogadishu and is bicameral, consisting of an Upper House (Senate) and a Lower House (House of the People).

Parliamentary history

The first parliament in independent Somalia was unicameral National Assembly (1960–1969). It was followed by unicameral House of the People (1969–2012[2]) which did not function during Somali Civil War. Unicameral Federal Parliament was established in 2012, and it was reformulated as bicameral in 2016, when Senate of Somalia was established.

Establishment of Federal Parliament

Post-transition Roadmap

As part of the official "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process devised by former Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas which provides clear benchmarks leading toward the establishment of permanent democratic institutions in Somalia by late August 2012,[3] members of Somalia's then ruling Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and other administrative officials met in the northeastern town of Garowe in February 2012 to discuss post-transition arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Abdiweli Gaas, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a representative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating a new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, consisting of an upper house seating 54 senators and a lower house; of which 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and the prime minister is selected by the president, who would then name a council of ministers.[4] [5]

On 23 June, TFG and regional leaders approved a draft constitution after several days of deliberation.[6] The NCA, which consists of 30 elders drawn from each of the country's four major Somali clans (Darod, Dir, Hawiye, Rahanweyn) and 15 from a coalition of minority groups based on the 4.5 power-sharing formula, overwhelmingly passed the new constitution on 1 August. 96% of the 645 delegates present voted for it, 2% against it and 2% abstained.[7] [8] For the constitution to come into effect, it will need to be ratified by the new parliament.[9]

Technical Selection Committee

On 18 August 2012, a list of 202 new parliamentarians was released,[10] with a total of 215 legislators eventually sworn in on 20 August. A further 15 nominated lawmakers were approved by the Technical Selection Committee (TSC),[11] an independent body officially tasked with vetting the applicants.[10] However, verification of their paperwork was still pending before they could be officially sworn into parliament.[11]

The remaining candidates that were submitted by the National Constituent Assembly's elders to the TSC were rejected for failing to meet specific criteria agreed upon by stakeholders that partook in earlier agreements, including the Galkayo and Garowe Principles accords. The minimal selection criteria required potential MPs to be Somali nationals possessing a "sound mind", to have at least a high school diploma,[10] to be capable of carrying out parliamentary duties, and to have no reported links with warlords, rebels, armed groups and other potential spoiler elements.[12] The TSC also based its screening procedure on detailed background information on the parliamentary candidates that was forwarded to it by the United Nations and African Union.[12]

Inauguration

The inaugural session of parliament was held on 20 August 2012, at the Mogadishu airport since the main parliament building was undergoing renovations. The outgoing President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament all attended the ceremony in the capital, which witnessed the swearing in of most of the MPs and the selection of a new interim Speaker.[13]

10th Parliament (2016)

The tenth Parliament of Somalia was inaugurated on 27 December 2016.[14]

In a statement to the United Nations Security Council, Michael Keating, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), noted that the Upper House of Parliament had come into existence, comprising 54 members chosen on the basis of the federal member state rather than on a clan basis; the electorate had expanded from 135 male elders in 2012, to more than 13,000, 30% of whom were women; and voting had taken place in six locations around the country, reflecting emerging state structures.[15]

The constitutional mandate of the parliamentarians ended on 27 December 2020, and Somalia had no parliament until the swearing-in of the 11th Parliament in 2022.[16]

11th Parliament (2022)

Members of the 11th Federal Parliament of Somalia were sworn-in in Mogadishu on 14 April 2022.[17] 250 out of 275 members of the House of the People and 40 out of 54 members of the Senate took their oaths of office.[18]

Abdi Hashi Abdullahi was reelected as speaker of the Senate, and Ali Shacban Ibrahim and Abdullahi Ali Hirsi were elected as first and second deputy speakers on 26 April 2022.[19] [20] Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe was elected as speaker of the House of the People on 27 April 2022, while Saadia Yasin Haji Samatar and Abdullahi Omar Abshirow were elected as first and second deputy speakers the next day.[21] [22]

Speaker of Parliament

See main article: List of speakers of the Parliament of Somalia.

On 20 August 2012, former Somali National Army (SNA) General Muse Hassan Sheikh Sayid Abdulle was appointed Interim Speaker and Acting President.[23] Voting for a new Speaker of Parliament was held on 28 August 2012, with former Minister of Transportation and Minister of Labor and Sports Mohamed Osman Jawari elected as Speaker.[24] Jaylaani Nur Ikar and Mahad Abdalle Awad are serving as his First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker, respectively.[25]

Duties

The Federal Parliament of Somalia constitutes the legislative branch of government, with the Federal Government of Somalia representing the executive division.

The parliament elects the President, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers. It also has the authority to pass and veto laws.[11]

In addition, the national parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of the autonomous regional states (officially, Federal Member States) within the Federal Republic of Somalia.[26] [27]

On 2 April 2014, the parliamentary committee of interior and security announced that it would soon establish a committee to oversee the federalism process in Somalia's constituent provinces.[28]

Composition

See main article: List of Members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia. The Federal Parliament of Somalia is bicameral, consisting of an Upper House and a Lower House (House of the People).[11] It includes many professionals and university graduates.[13] At least 30% of seats are legally reserved for women, a quota secured by Somali parliamentary consultant Hodan Ahmed and women political leaders.[29] Ahmed had also helped form the Somali Women Parliamentary Association in 2009 in the preceding Transitional Federal Parliament.[30]

An official list of Members of the Federal Parliament was first published on 17 August 2012 by the Office of the Somali Parliament.[23]

Senate

See main article: Senate of Somalia.

The Senate, or Upper house, was elected during Somali parliamentary election held on 2016 and it contains 54 senators.[31]

House of the People

The House of the People, or lower house, is eventually expected to comprise 275 MPs.[11]

Committees

The Federal Parliament has a number of committees, which are tasked with carrying out its duties. They include:[32]

In March 2015, the Federal Cabinet agreed to establish a new commission tasked with overseeing the nationalization and integration of security forces in the country.[33]

List of Parliaments

Voting system

Article 47 of the Provisional Constitution stipulates that "the regulations concerning[...] elections at the Federal Government level[...] shall be defined in special laws enacted by the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia."[34]

Tenure

According to the Office of the Somali Parliament, sitting legislators are mandated to serve from 2016 to 2020.[23] The Parliamentary term elapsed on 27 December 2020, with the election date yet to be announced.[35]

Memberships

The Federal Parliament of Somalia is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the international organization of parliaments.[36]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Somalia . Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform . en . 5 July 2018 . 19 November 2022 . 19 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221119211303/https://data.ipu.org/content/somalia?chamber_id=13572 . live .
  2. Web site: Historical Background . Senate of Somalia.
  3. News: Ahmed. Muddassar. Somalia rising after two decades of civil war and unrest. 9 August 2012. Al Arabiya. 8 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120809223608/http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2012/08/08/231008.html. 9 August 2012. dead.
  4. http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Garowe_conference_comes_to_a_close.shtml Somalia Garowe conference comes to a close
  5. http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/2828/Second_Garowe_Conference_Concludes Second Garowe Conference Concludes
  6. Web site: Somalia: Somali Leaders Adopt Draft Constitution. ANP/AFP. 23 June 2012.
  7. News: Somalia adopts a constitution, amidst insecurity. 1 August 2012. Garowe Online. 1 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120807220919/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_adopts_a_constitution_amidst_insecurity.shtml. 7 August 2012.
  8. News: Somalia's newly-endorsed constitution widely hailed. 2 August 2012. Xinhua. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131007224547/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2012-08/02/c_131757152.htm. 7 October 2013.
  9. Web site: BBC. Somali leaders back new constitution. 1 August 2012. 2 August 2012. 11 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201011154026/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19075685/. live.
  10. Web site: Somalia: List of new parliamentarians leaked . 24 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121122200336/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_List_of_new_parliamentarians_leaked.shtml . 22 November 2012 . dead .
  11. News: Somalia swears in historic new parliament. 21 August 2012. Al Jazeera. 20 August 2012. 1 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801112655/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/08/2012818183718864689.html. live.
  12. Web site: Somalia: Committee excludes warlords, rebels and armed groups from Federal Parliament . 24 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120818030509/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Committee_excludes_warlords_rebels_and_armed_groups_from_Federal_Parliament.shtml . 18 August 2012 . dead .
  13. News: Somalia: UN Envoy Says Inauguration of New Parliament in Somalia 'Historic Moment'. 24 August 2012. Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. 21 August 2012. 27 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327164504/http://allafrica.com/stories/201208220474.html. live.
  14. News: 27 December 2016 . Somalia swears in 283 members of parliament . en . UNSOM . 30 January 2017 . 15 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415143000/https://unsom.unmissions.org/somalia-swears-283-members-parliament . live .
  15. News: Election of New Parliament 'a Milestone' in Somalia's Post-conflict Transformation, Special Representative Tells Security Council. 27 January 2017. ReliefWeb. en. 30 January 2017. 3 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603065834/https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/election-new-parliament-milestone-somalia-s-post-conflict-transformation-special. live.
  16. Web site: Resignation of President Farmajo is the right option before Somalia falls apart. Horn Observer. 3 January 2021. 21 February 2021. 15 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415143023/https://hornobserver.com/articles/670/Dr-Uluso-Resignation-of-President-Farmajo-is-the-right-option-before-Somalia-falls-apart. live.
  17. News: 14 April 2022 . The swearing-in ceremony of the new parliamentarians today . SONNA . 14 April 2022 . 9 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309061017/https://sonna.so/en/2022/04/14/the-swearing-in-ceremony-of-the-new-parliamentarians-today/ . live .
  18. News: Sheikh . Abdi . 14 April 2022 . Somalia swears in lawmakers, paving way for presidential vote . . 14 April 2022 . 14 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220414174459/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somalia-swears-lawmakers-paving-way-presidential-vote-2022-04-14/ . live .
  19. News: 26 April 2022 . The President and Prime Minister have congratulated the Chairpersons of the Upper House . SONNA . 26 April 2022.
  20. News: 26 April 2022 . Senate speaker, Abdi Hashi re-elected in Somalia . . 26 April 2022 . 26 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034005/http://www.africanews.com/2022/04/26/senate-speaker-abdi-hashi-re-elected-in-somalia/ . live .
  21. News: 28 April 2022 . Somalia's parliament picks speaker in step towards presidential election . . 28 April 2022 . 28 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428152851/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/africa/2022/04/28/somalias-parliament-picks-speaker-in-step-towards-presidential-election/ . live .
  22. News: Abdulkadir . Khalif . 29 April 2022 . Saadia Samatar makes history as Somalia's first female deputy speaker . . 29 April 2022 . 29 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220429065427/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/somalia-first-female-deputy-speaker-3798242 . live .
  23. Web site: Office of the Somali Parliament. Office of the Somali Parliament. 24 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120714005116/http://www.somaligov.net/The%20Parliament.html. 14 July 2012. dead.
  24. News: Somali Parliament Elects Speaker for New Gov't. 28 August 2012. Voice of America. 28 August 2012. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103953/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/08/28/somali-parliament-elects-speaker-for-new-govt/. live.
  25. News: Mohamed. Mahmoud. Somalia successfully concludes first elections in over 20 years. 30 August 2012. Sabahi. 29 August 2012. 24 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224060638/http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/features/2012/08/29/feature-02. live.
  26. Web site: The Federal Republic of Somalia – Harmonized Draft Constitution. Federal Government of Somalia. 2 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130120021519/http://dastuurkeenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/120708-Harmonized-Draft-Constitution-Eng-Tran-_incl-errata-changes.pdf. 20 January 2013. dead.
  27. Web site: Guidebook to the Somali Draft Provisional Constitution. 2 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130120021547/http://unpos.unmissions.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=v067edqd7a8%3D&tabid=9705&language=en-US. 20 January 2013.
  28. News: Parliamentary interior committee . 3 April 2014 . Goobjoog . 2 April 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407073952/http://goobjoog.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2036%3Asomalia-parliamentary-interior-committee-warns-further-conflicts-in-the-country-if-government-fails-to-work-out-political-tensions-in-some-regions&catid=124%3Alocal-news&Itemid=653 . 7 April 2014 .
  29. Web site: April 12–13, 2013 – Preliminary Program. McDonough Leadership Center. 2 April 2014. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051738/http://webapps.marietta.edu/~lead/sites/default/files/McDonough%20Leadership%20Conference%20Program%20(2013)_1.pdf. dead.
  30. Web site: Hodan Ahmed. National Democratic Institute. 2 April 2014. 7 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084212/https://www.ndi.org/hodan-ahmed-2013-apf. live.
  31. Web site: Tenth Parliament of Somalia. 17 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215700/http://www.parliament.gov.so/index.php/so/styles-2/2015-04-02-08-44-17. 4 April 2017. dead.
  32. Web site: Committees . Federal Parliament of Somalia . 27 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141022140141/http://www.parliament.gov.so/index.php/en/committees . 22 October 2014 .
  33. News: Somali Cabinet Ministers agree financial management committee to work temporarily. 21 March 2015. Goobjoog. 19 March 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111223/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=11985. live.
  34. Web site: The Federal Republic of Somalia – Provisional Constitution . Federal Government of Somalia . 16 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124010543/http://www.somaliweyn.com/pages/news/Aug_12/Somalia_Constitution_English_FOR_WEB.pdf . 24 January 2013 .
  35. Web site: Somali parliament's tenure elapses without clear future plan. 28 December 2020. Garowe. 28 December 2020. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215135/https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somali-parliament-s-tenure-elapses-without-clear-future-plan. live.
  36. Web site: Somalia (House of the People). Inter-Parliamentary Union. 6 September 2013. 29 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131229013750/http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2380.htm. live.

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