MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud opened the sixth session of the 11th Federal Parliament on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, praising lawmakers for their work and outlining priorities in national security and economic progress.
In his address, the president lauded the Somali National Army and Puntland Special Forces for their efforts against Al-Shabaab militants and the Islamic State, particularly in the Calmiskaad mountains in the Bari region of Puntland state.
“We stand by the Puntland forces and the people of those areas who have taught the Daesh unforgettable lessons. This is a just war on the right path, and it is our duty to support our brothers in their fight for freedom and the restoration of our dignity,” Hassan Sheikh said.
He also highlighted political milestones, including agreements from the National Consultative Forum and parliamentary approval of the first four chapters of the Constitution, which he said set the stage for direct elections. He urged lawmakers to finalize the remaining chapters during this session to end Somalia’s reliance on indirect voting.
“Brothers and sisters, the Somali people are looking to us, and they trust us to move away from the outdated system of indirect elections. We must give them the opportunity to freely express their views and choose those who will represent them,” he said.
On the economic front, the president celebrated Somalia’s debt relief achieved in late 2023, emphasizing the government’s focus on leveraging natural resources and managing finances through citizen taxes without incurring new debt. He praised Somali businesspeople and taxpayers for their role in stabilizing the nation.
