Speaker of Somalia’s Parliament, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), has temporarily suspended 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) from attending legislative sessions due to heightened security concerns.
The suspension was announced in a letter issued by the Parliamentary Oversight Office on April 30, 2025, just hours after a chaotic incident disrupted proceedings in the Lower House during Wednesday’s session, forcing its abrupt adjournment.
Speaker Madoobe stated that the decision was made in accordance with parliamentary rules and aims to address growing threats to the security of government institutions. He described the measure as precautionary, noting that Somalia continues to grapple with serious safety challenges within its political infrastructure.
Although the duration of the suspension has not been specified, the directive bars the affected MPs from entering parliamentary chambers until further notice. The move has triggered debate among lawmakers, with some voicing concern over the impact such a decision could have on parliamentary functionality and representation.
In his directive, Speaker Madoobe invoked Articles 14, 16, and 28 of the House of the People’s Rules of Procedure, which empower the Speaker to enforce parliamentary discipline, maintain order, and ensure the smooth conduct of legislative business.
“I hereby enact Articles 14, 16, and 28 of the House of the People’s Rules of Procedure, which authorize the Speaker to uphold parliamentary rules, maintain order, and ensure the smooth functioning of legislative and administrative affairs,” the Speaker stated in his letter.
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