MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament has approved legislation establishing a national Revenue Authority and endorsed two new members of the Independent Constitutional Review Commission, as lawmakers held a session focused on financial administration and constitutional institutions.
The session was chaired by Upper House Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi during the eighth meeting of the chamber’s eighth parliamentary session. The agenda included the third reading of the bill establishing the Revenue Authority and the approval of two nominees to fill vacant positions on the Independent Constitutional Review Commission.
The Revenue Authority bill was presented to lawmakers by Senator Abdi Ahmed Dhuxulow Dhagdheer, chairman of the Upper House Finance Committee, who briefed senators on the committee’s report and urged them to approve the legislation. The chamber had previously considered the bill at its second reading.
The bill was approved by 27 senators, with no votes against it and no abstentions, according to the parliamentary account of the session.
State Minister for Finance Raho Mahmoud Janaqow thanked the senators for approving the legislation, saying the new authority would play an important role in managing, collecting and increasing domestic revenue.
The establishment of the authority comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen domestic revenue collection and improve the management of public finances. The Upper House has recently held discussions with Finance Ministry officials on the structure and responsibilities proposed under the legislation.
The senators also considered the appointment of two members to the Independent Constitutional Review Commission.
State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ilyas Sheikh Omar presented information on the two nominees and asked the Upper House to approve them to fill vacant positions on the commission.
The two nominees were subsequently put to a vote and received the support of 27 senators, with no opposition votes or abstentions.
The latest session followed earlier parliamentary consideration of the Revenue Authority legislation, which had reached its second reading during the eighth parliamentary session. The Senate’s published agenda shows that lawmakers have been examining the bill as part of a broader legislative programme.
The Upper House is constitutionally responsible for representing Somalia’s federal member states and participates in legislation concerning the federal system and other national matters.
The approval of the revenue legislation and the appointment of the two constitutional commission members comes as Somalia continues work on strengthening federal institutions and implementing its constitutional framework.
