Mogadishu – The Somali House of Representatives fell into chaos on Wednesday.
As tensions escalated, armed security forces were deployed in the parliamentary chambers, and Speaker Adan Madbe faced fierce opposition from a group of MPs trying to block the lawsuit.
The session marked the reopening of Parliament after a week-long deadlock, but was quickly unleashed when opposition lawmakers booed Madbe and denounced prejudice and constitutional violations. More than 100 lawmakers signed an allegation to have each of the speakers and illegally removed the immunity of MP Abib’s parliament, moving to claim they have stepped over his authority and paralyzed legislative work.
The video circulating on social media shows a chaotic scene, with lawmakers pushing each other and exchanging several blowjobs, but armed guards staring inside the room. The presence of the military raised concerns about escalating volatility as no parliamentary business was carried out amidst the obstacles.
In April 2022, veteran politician Madube selected a speaker but dismissed the opposition as a minority, claiming that only “20 lawmakers” were opposed to him. He pushed him to continue the session despite the fuss and even more inflamed tension. However, critics have accused Hassan Sheikh Mohamd’s administration of rubber stamps, which are allegedly denies by government allies, for restraining legislative progress and acting as rubber stamps.
The anxiety follows weeks of friction at Somali national homes. There, internal divisions repeatedly stalled important legislative priorities, including election reform and constitutional reform. The assembly has been stuck for nearly two weeks, with opposition lawmakers accusing Madbe of deliberately obstructing the session and hindering the interests of officers.
“This is a shameful exhibition that undermines the integrity of our Congress,” said an opposition lawmaker who called for anonymity due to security concerns. “The speaker, who refused to deal with our complaints, transformed the house into a battlefield.”
The crisis could further derail Somalia’s fragile political transition. The country, which operates under an indirect electoral system based on clan representation, is working on delayed reforms aimed at introducing universal voting rights for elections scheduled for 2026. Opposition leaders have accused the government of using the Capitol to deny Mogadishu’s denial.
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Both Somali Houses constitute people and Senate homes, and have long been plagued by leadership disputes and allegations of corruption. A former warlord with a controversial past, Madube faces criticism that has allegedly accumulated illegal wealth, abused his authority and further promoted distrust among lawmakers.
Wednesday’s violence follows the Congressional dysfunction pattern. In December 2024, Madbe imposed pay cuts and suspensions on lawmakers accused of causing the disability.
As the session collapsed, the calls for dialogue grew. Political analysts warned that the ongoing Parliamentary pilgrimage could exacerbate the wider challenges in Somalia, including unrest from al-Shabaab militants and tensions with semi-automated regions like Jubaland.
No official statements have been issued from President Mohamud’s office regarding Congressional concerns. When the night fell in Mogadishu, the rooms had no clear path to resume legislative work.
