Tensions disrupt Somalia parliament as opposition blocks constitutional debate

Tensions rose at Somalia’s Federal Parliament on Tuesday after opposition lawmakers disrupted the opening of a constitutional amendment debate.

Reports from Villa Hargeysa say opposition MPs occupied the Speaker’s seats and blocked access to the parliamentary hall. The move prevented the Speaker of the House from entering and forced a halt to the session.

The lawmakers said they opposed the planned constitutional discussions. The situation quickly turned chaotic, with shouting and physical confrontations reported inside the chamber.

Independent media were denied access to the parliamentary compound and turned away at the main gate. Some MPs, including Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, criticized the decision and called for journalists to be allowed to report on the events.

Several lawmakers were reported to have suffered minor injuries during the clashes. Microphones and sound equipment inside the hall were also damaged, bringing proceedings to a standstill.

MP Cadar Xareed was taken to hospital with a leg injury. She accused a security officer of causing the injury.

The situation at Villa Hargeysa remains tense. It is unclear how the parliamentary session will proceed as leadership considers its next steps, following earlier sanctions against lawmakers accused of disrupting previous sittings.