Mogadishu, Somalia – On November 20, 2024, members of both houses of Somalia’s Parliament convened for their ninth joint session to review and pass key pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic processes. The meeting, chaired by the Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the National Parliament, Mr. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Noor (Madobobe), and the Speaker of the Upper House, Mr. Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, was attended by deputies from both chambers of Parliament.
The primary focus of the session was the third reading and subsequent voting on the Political Parties and Organizations Act, which was approved by a wide margin. Following the report presented by the Chairman of the Interim Committee on Electoral Regulations and Political Parties, MP Mahdi Mohamed Guled, the bill was subjected to a final vote. A total of 177 Members of Parliament (MPs) from both houses voted in favor of the bill, with one member from the House of Representatives voting against it. There were no abstentions. Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobobe announced the result, marking a significant step in the establishment of a legal framework for political parties and organizations in Somalia.
The Political Parties and Organizations Act aims to regulate the formation and operation of political entities in Somalia, providing a clearer structure for political engagement and participation ahead of future elections. The Act is seen as an essential pillar in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to build a stable and functional democracy.
In addition to the approval of the Political Parties Act, Parliament also held the second reading of the National Elections Bill. The bill was debated extensively, with MPs discussing its provisions and offering suggestions for improvement. The Chairman of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Madobobe, emphasized that while the debate on the bill had been completed, it would now be returned to the Transitional Committee for further revisions. The committee is tasked with incorporating the views and recommendations of MPs before the bill’s third reading.
In his closing remarks, Speaker Madobobe expressed his appreciation for the constructive debate and collaboration between the two houses of Parliament. He assured MPs that the revised National Elections Bill, which will lay the foundation for future elections in Somalia, will return to the assembly for a final vote once the necessary amendments have been made.
These legislative actions reflect Somalia’s ongoing commitment to democratic reforms and the establishment of robust electoral institutions, as the country continues to navigate its path toward full democracy. The passage of the Political Parties and Organizations Act, along with the progress on the National Elections Bill, represents a key moment in Somalia’s electoral history.
