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Federal Parliament of Somalia

The Federal Parliament of Somalia (Somali: Golaha Shacabka Soomaaliya; often Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya; Arabic: البرلمان الاتحادي في الصومال) is the national parliament of Somalia. Formed in August 2012, it is based in the capital Mogadishu and is bicameral, consisting of an Upper House (Senate) and a Lower House (House of the People).

Federal Parliament of Somalia

Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya

20 August 1956 (1956-08-20)

275 MPs and 54 senators

TBD

Parliamentary history[edit]

The first parliament in independent Somalia was unicameral National Assembly (1960–1969[2]). It was followed by unicameral House of the People (1969–2012[2]) which did not function during Somali Civil War. Unicameral Federal Parliament was established in 2012, and it was reformulated as bicameral in 2016, when Senate of Somalia was established.[2]

Establishment of Federal Parliament[edit]

Post-transition Roadmap[edit]

As part of the official "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process devised by former Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas which provides clear benchmarks leading toward the establishment of permanent democratic institutions in Somalia by late August 2012,[3] members of Somalia's then ruling Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and other administrative officials met in the northeastern town of Garowe in February 2012 to discuss post-transition arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Abdiweli Gaas, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a representative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating a new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, consisting of an upper house seating 54 senators and a lower house; of which 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and the prime minister is selected by the president, who would then name a council of ministers.[4][5]


On 23 June, TFG and regional leaders approved a draft constitution after several days of deliberation.[6] The NCA, which consists of 30 elders drawn from each of the country's four major Somali clans (Darod, Dir, Hawiye, Rahanweyn) and 15 from a coalition of minority groups based on the 4.5 power-sharing formula,[7] overwhelmingly passed the new constitution on 1 August. 96% of the 645 delegates present voted for it, 2% against it and 2% abstained.[8][9] For the constitution to come into effect, it will need to be ratified by the new parliament.[10]

Duties[edit]

The Federal Parliament of Somalia constitutes the legislative branch of government, with the Federal Government of Somalia representing the executive division.


The parliament elects the President, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers. It also has the authority to pass and veto laws.[7]


In addition, the national parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of the autonomous regional states (officially, Federal Member States) within the Federal Republic of Somalia.[26][27]


On 2 April 2014, the parliamentary committee of interior and security announced that it would soon establish a committee to oversee the federalism process in Somalia's constituent provinces.[28]

Oversight, Review and Implementation Committee

Rules of Procedure, Ethics, Discipline and Immunity Committee

Judiciary, Religious Sites and Religious Affairs Committee

Internal Affairs, Regional Administration and Security Committee

Truth, Reconciliation and Restitution Committee

Committee on Budget, Finance, Planning, International Cooperation and Financial Oversight of Public Institutions

Foreign Affairs Committee

Defence Committee

Human Rights, Women and Humanitarian Affairs Committee

Social Services Development Committee

National Resource Committee

Information & Media, Public Awareness, Culture Post and Telecommunication Committee

Committee for Roads, Ports, Airports, Energy and Transport

Committee for Economy, Trade and Industry

The Federal Parliament has a number of committees, which are tasked with carrying out its duties. They include:[32]


In March 2015, the Federal Cabinet agreed to establish a new commission tasked with overseeing the nationalization and integration of security forces in the country.[33]

1st Somali Parliament (1956–1960) – majority party :

Somali Youth League

2nd Somali Parliament (1960–1964) – majority party :

Somali Youth League

3rd Somali Parliament (1964–1968) – majority party :

Somali Youth League

4th Somali Parliament (1968–1970) – majority party :

Supreme Revolutionary Council

5th Somali Parliament (1980–1986) – majority party :

Supreme Revolutionary Council

6th Somali Parliament (1986–1990) – majority party :

Supreme Revolutionary Council

7th Somali Parliament (2000–2004) – majority party : none

8th Somali Parliament (2004–2012) – majority party : none

9th Somali Parliament (2012–2016) – majority party : peace and development party

(2016–2020) – majority party : nabad iyo nolal

10th Somali Parliament

11th Somali Parliament (2022–2026) – majority party : nabad iyo nolol

Voting system[edit]

Article 47 of the Provisional Constitution stipulates that "the regulations concerning[...] elections at the Federal Government level[...] shall be defined in special laws enacted by the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia."[34]

Tenure[edit]

According to the Office of the Somali Parliament, sitting legislators are mandated to serve from 2016 to 2020.[23] The Parliamentary term elapsed on 27 December 2020, with the election date yet to be announced.[35]

Memberships[edit]

The Federal Parliament of Somalia is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the international organization of parliaments.[36]

Cabinet of Somalia

Judiciary of Somalia

List of speakers of the Parliament of Somalia

Federal Parliament of Somalia – Official website

Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments – Somalia

Inter-Parliamentary Union – Somalia (House of the People)