Somalia Presidency Plans Parliamentary Session Amid Dispute Over Mandates

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s presidency is preparing to convene a session of the lower house of parliament after the conclusion of elections in Baidoa, where Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur “Madobe” is expected to seek the presidency of the South West regional administration, informed sources said Tuesday.

According to the sources, the planned session would allow lawmakers to elect a new speaker of the House of the People within 30 days, despite growing opposition claims that the current parliament’s mandate expired on April 14, 2026.

The move is likely to deepen political tensions in Mogadishu, where opposition figures have accused the federal government of extending its grip on power beyond constitutional limits. Critics argue that the parliament is operating outside its legal mandate, although no significant bloc of lawmakers has formally resigned or rejected parliamentary salaries.

Political competition has already intensified among allies of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from the South West regions, with rival factions seeking influence over the leadership of what opponents describe as an expired legislature.

Sources familiar with the matter said several influential figures currently involved in South West regional affairs are lobbying for key parliamentary positions as part of broader political realignments linked to the Baidoa elections.

At the same time, some aspiring candidates are facing resistance within their own local constituencies following recent political shifts, particularly among clans in the Bay and Bakool regions, where internal rivalries among politicians have sharpened in recent weeks.

GAROWE ONLINE