Somali police seize control of parliament, lawmakers report threats of lethal force

MOGADISHU, Feb 7 - Armed police units took control of the Somali Federal Parliament’s main hall on Saturday, with lawmakers reporting they were threatened with lethal force, and a female representative was physically assaulted during a chaotic standoff.

Witnesses and parliamentary sources said police units deployed inside the House of the People implemented extraordinary security measures that effectively paralyzed legislative proceedings. Officers reportedly warned members of parliament that anyone attempting to approach the microphones or speak without explicit authorization would be shot.

The presence of the Banadir Regional Police Commander, Moalim Mahd,i outside the hall, allegedly coordinating the operation, drew immediate condemnation from opposition figures. Critics characterized the heavy-handed police presence as a partisan maneuver intended to shield the President’s political interests from legislative challenge.

The tension escalated into violence when federal police officers inside the chamber allegedly assaulted a female lawmaker. This incident marks the second reported case of female representatives facing physical abuse and intimidation within the parliamentary complex in recent months, sparking urgent concerns over the safety of elected officials.

Constitutional experts and lawmakers described the intervention as a direct violation of the independence of the Somali Parliament. One legislator, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the security forces had moved beyond their mandate of protection to act as a mechanism for political silencing.

The incident has raised international and domestic alarms regarding the erosion of democratic norms in Somalia, a nation currently managing a fragile political transition while facing significant security challenges.

The Somali Police Force and the Office of the President did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations of physical assault or the threats of lethal force used against lawmakers.

GAROWE ONLINE