Somalia's Lower House approves anti-terrorism law as president signs NISA Bill

MOGADISHU - Somalia has yet again shown commitment to fighting terrorist groups across the country following Wednesday's approval of the anti-terrorism law which gives government security agencies a legal framework to fight violent extremist groups which have been causing instability.

The Lower House approved the Bill with 133 MPs voting in its favour, 3 rejected the law and 7 others abstained. National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] Director Mohamed Salad termed the move as "crucial" while lauding legislators for their "wonderful job".

“This law is vital for our war against terrorism, and it comes at a time when we most needed it to perform our national responsibility in preventing terror acts and eradicating terrorism,” said Salad.

“Today, a law that would be a shield for women and children from terrorist attacks, and a sharp sword for government security agencies to eradicate the terrorists have successfully passed this house,” said Abdiladif Sanyare, a Somali lawmaker who supported the bill.

Those opposed to the law have been claiming that loose ends would give government security agencies space to use excessive power if unchecked. Somalia has been fighting both Al-Shabaab and IS-Somalia insurgents for a number of years, with the two groups jointly killing thousands of people.

One of the lawmakers, Mr Hassan Abdi Ismail, who opposed the legislation, said that even President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and PM Abdi Barre have good intentions, “we do not know who will come to power in the future, [and] since this is a national law ... we do not want it to affect innocent citizens.”

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, a victim of terror and former journalist who is now serving in parliament, criticized the bill, noting that it gives security agencies an easy time arresting people who are suspected to be members of terror groups.

“This bill gives the security agencies [approval] to raid and arrest terrorist suspects without court orders and that goes against our constitution,” said Moalimuu. “Therefore, this bill should not conflict with our constitution.”

But Mahdi Mohamed Guled, an MP and Somalia’s former deputy prime minister say the bill was amended during the debates with a clear definition of terrorism.

“This law aims at the known terrorist organization and groups, and its definition is clear. It would not be used for political purposes,” Guled said

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has already signed the controversial NISA Bill into law despite criticism from members of human rights groups. The president signed the Bill into law on Wednesday moments after the lawmakers passed the anti-terrorism law.

Initially, Human Rights Watch called on President Mohamud to withhold his signature for what they say is a “bill that will expand the powers of the country’s repressive intelligence agency.”

“The draft law, which the Senate passed on February 22, 2023, grants the National Security and Intelligence Agency [NISA] sweeping powers of arrest, detention, and surveillance,” and it has only minimal oversight of the security agencies, said the U.S.-based organization.

The events came after the government unleashed against Al-Shabaab across the country, with over 700 militants already killed. Government troops have been working closely with US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and local militia to eradicate Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE