Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, has condemned his attempted removal from the Upper House of Parliament, calling it unconstitutional. The move, led by Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdillahi, claimed Jama had automatically vacated his seat after missing four consecutive sessions.
In an October 13 statement, Jama called the Speaker’s decision an abuse of power, arguing that his absences were due to the demands of his role as Deputy Prime Minister. “It is alarming that the Speaker would attempt, in an overtly unconstitutional and illegal manner, to remove a duly elected Senator and appoint an unelected individual,” Jama stated. He emphasized that his responsibilities sometimes prevented attendance, but his absences were justified under Article 59(d) of the Provisional Constitution.
Jama also refuted accusations that he missed all Upper House sessions, asserting, “I have participated in several sessions of the Upper House as well as joint parliamentary meetings.”
The decision has caused a major divide within the Upper House. Several senators, including Senator Osman Obokar Dubbe, have supported Jama, arguing that his absences were valid. Leading the opposition, Senator Dubbe criticized the move, stating it “ignores his national duties and exceeds the constitutional powers of the Speaker.”
In defense of his decision, Speaker Hashi cited Article 59(a) of the Provisional Constitution, which states that senators lose their seats if they miss four consecutive sessions. Hashi also referenced the 2016 Indirect Elections Agreement, which governs Senate seat allocations for Somaliland and northern regions, and nominated Ibrahim Suleiman Idle, Jama’s competitor in the previous election, to fill the seat.
However, the Upper House has refused to vote on Jama’s removal, prompting Speaker Hashi to delay the swearing-in of Idle, Jama’s proposed replacement.
Legal experts and political analysts are now scrutinizing the situation, questioning the extent of the Speaker’s authority and whether such a decision can be made without broader Senate approval. Many fear that the Speaker’s actions could set a troubling precedent for executive overreach in legislative affairs.
