Somali Parliament suspends joint and House of the People sessions after disruptions

The Acting Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, has issued an official decision to temporarily suspend joint sessions of the two chambers of Parliament, as well as sittings of the House of the People.

The decision follows disruptions that occurred during a joint session of the Upper House and the House of the People held on February 2, 2026. According to the statement, the move is aimed at preserving order, stability, and the smooth functioning of parliamentary work.

The decision states that the suspension will remain in effect on a temporary basis until a formal resolution is reached regarding the issues that led to the disorder, and until assurances are in place that parliamentary sessions can proceed in accordance with internal rules, procedures, and professional conduct.

The Office of the Second Deputy Speaker emphasized that the Federal Parliament of Somalia remains firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, institutional discipline, and constitutional responsibility. It further noted that appropriate measures will be taken against any individuals found to have violated parliamentary order and regulations.

The statement reaffirmed that maintaining the integrity of parliamentary proceedings is essential to ensuring effective legislative work and safeguarding democratic governance in Somalia.