Federal Parliament of Somalia

Federal Parliament of Somalia
Name	Federal Parliament of Somalia
Background color	#006600
Text color	white
Legislature	Bicameral Parliament
Houses	Upper House (Senate), Lower House (House of the People)
Foundation	20 August 2012
Preceded by	Transitional Federal Parliament
House1	Upper House
House2	Lower House
Leader1 type	Speaker of the Upper House
Leader1	Abdi Hashi Abdullahi
Leader2 type	Speaker of the House of the People
Leader2	Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur
Members	329 (275+54)
Meeting place	Villa Somalia, Mogadishu
Website	www.parliament.gov.so

Federal Parliament of Somalia. It is the national bicameral legislature of the Federal Republic of Somalia, established by the Provisional Constitution of Somalia adopted in 2012. The parliament consists of an Upper House representing the federal member states and a Lower House representing the citizenry. It convenes in the capital Mogadishu and is central to the country's post-transition governance.

History

The modern institution was formed in August 2012, succeeding the Transitional Federal Parliament which governed during the lengthy post-Somali Civil War transition. Its creation marked the end of the Transitional Federal Government and the beginning of the Federal Government of Somalia. Key historical milestones include the 2016 electoral process, the 2021-2022 indirect elections, and its role in critical votes of confidence for figures like former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. The parliament has operated in a challenging security environment, often under the protection of the African Union Mission in Somalia and Somali Armed Forces.

Structure and composition

The legislature is divided into two chambers. The Upper House, or Senate, comprises 54 senators elected by the legislatures of the six Federal Member States of Somalia and the Banadir Regional Administration. The Lower House, known as the House of the People, is composed of 275 members. This structure is designed to balance representation between the federal states and the national population, as outlined in the Provisional Constitution of Somalia. The Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission plays a role in overseeing constitutional alignment.

Powers and functions

Its constitutional powers include enacting federal legislation, approving the national budget, and ratifying international treaties. It holds significant oversight authority, including the power to confirm appointments such as the Prime Minister and Constitutional Court justices, and to impeach the President. The parliament also declares war and states of emergency. Joint sessions are convened to elect the President of Somalia, as seen in the elections of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.

Elections and membership

Members are selected through a complex indirect electoral model managed by the Federal Indirect Elections Implementation Team. Clan-based delegates, including traditional elders, elect Lower House members, while state legislatures choose Upper House senators. This system, a compromise following the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic, aims for inclusivity among major clans like the Hawiye, Darod, and Dir. The goal, per the 2021 Mogadishu Agreement, is a transition to a direct universal suffrage model.

Current leadership and political groups

The Speaker of the Upper House is Abdi Hashi Abdullahi. The Speaker of the House of the People is Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur. While formal political parties are nascent, members organize into blocs and alliances, such as those supporting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud or the Union for Peace and Development Party. Opposition coalitions like the National Salvation Forum also exert influence. Leadership elections are often contested, reflecting the dynamic political landscape of Mogadishu.

Building and facilities

The parliament primarily convenes within the secure compound of Villa Somalia, the seat of the presidency. Previous sessions have been held at the Mogadishu Airport zone under AMISOM protection due to security threats from Al-Shabaab. Plans for a permanent parliamentary building exist but have been delayed. The facilities are guarded by units of the Somali Police Force and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Somalia