Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-On Saturday, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, lost his membership in the Upper House of Parliament following a vote that removed his immunity due to his absence from parliamentary sessions for the past two and a half years.

The motion, which passed with 29 senators raising their hands in favor, was announced by the Speaker of the Senate, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi.

Following the vote, Speaker Hashi proposed former President of the Supreme Court, Ibrahim Iidle Suleyman, currently serving as a legal advisor to the Somali President, as Jama’s replacement for seat #UHP50.

However, the suggestion met with strong opposition from senators, who argued that the constitution requires an election to fill the seat rather than an appointment.

They stressed the need to follow constitutional rules, as the 54 members of the Senate are elected in the Federal Member States, excluding those from Somaliland.

It remains unclear whether the speaker will hold an election to fill the vacant seat. Hashi expressed concerns over logistical difficulties in finding the 46 members, including two key elders who are currently in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, and Erigavo city in Sanaag region, under Somaliland’s jurisdiction.

This decision follows recent warnings from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament, Abdullahi Abshirow who threatened to withhold salaries and seats from MPs who fail to attend sessions.