MOGADISHU, Feb 7, 2026 – The deputy speaker of Somalia’s lower house has ordered an indefinite suspension of joint parliamentary sessions following a wave of unrest that has paralyzed the legislature, officials said Saturday.
Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, the second deputy speaker currently serving as acting speaker, announced the decision to halt all joint sittings of the two houses, as well as regular sessions of the House of the People.
The move comes in the wake of a chaotic joint session on February 2 that descended into “turmoil,” according to a statement from Abshirow’s office. The suspension is intended to “safeguard order, stability, and the smooth functioning of parliamentary work.”
“This suspension will remain in effect temporarily until a formal resolution is reached regarding the issues that caused the chaos,” the statement said. It added that sessions would only resume once it is guaranteed they can be conducted “in accordance with the internal regulations and professional ethics” of the chamber.
Legislative proceedings in the Horn of Africa nation have been frequently marred by political infighting, often reflecting broader power struggles between the country’s top leadership or federal and regional states.
The deputy speaker’s office emphasized that the Federal Parliament remains committed to the “rule of law and constitutional responsibility,” warning that disciplinary action would be taken against any member found to be violating parliamentary procedures.
The suspension highlights ongoing fragility within Somalia’s political institutions as the country grapples with a complex transition toward direct elections and an intensified military offensive against Al-Shabaab militants.
