Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-On Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially inaugurated the 5th Session of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, marking the beginning of a crucial and contentious period in Somali legislative history. This session is set to address sensitive and controversial bills, with a central focus on implementing a one-person, one-vote election for the first time in 60 years.

To achieve this ambitious goal, parliament must review existing election laws, establish new ones, and form a national elections committee. Additionally, they will need to review 11 chapters of the constitution.

President Mohamud emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating, “This fifth parliamentary session awaits key agendas including the democratization of the country like the parties, the elections, electoral management institutions, human rights, and also judiciary ones. We are approaching a situation where the Somali citizen has the opportunity to choose or to be chosen. I think indirect elections are not interested.”

Despite these plans, significant opposition has emerged within the parliament. Critics argue that the proposed changes lack broad support and accuse the president of seeking a technical extension of his term.

MP Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu criticized the executive branch’s foreign policy and its handling of the Somali National Army, stating, “The executive branch misled the foreign policy of the country and entered deals without passing through legal procedures. Incompetent army chiefs were appointed to lead the war on Al-Shabaab.”

Federal MP Faiza Jeyte expressed skepticism about the president’s promises, saying, “We are in a place worse than where we were yesterday. It is only worsening, not improving. The president delivers good speeches whenever he comes to parliament, but he alone, without the government and army chiefs, cannot make changes.”

MP Abdisamad Mo’alim echoed these sentiments, highlighting the parliamentarians’ precarious situation, “Members of the 11th Parliament of Somalia have weak immunities. They are ransacked through the streets and threatened. Many members are standing to review the president’s position and correct the country’s course.”

Adding to the complexity, MP Yusuf Gama’did criticized the passing of constitutional chapters, labeling the process illegal and ineffective, “The country entered into constitutional uncertainty, passing four chapters illegally. The parliament is ready to hold the government accountable to correct these wrongs.”

Recently, an agreement was announced to introduce a one-person, one-vote system in local government elections scheduled for June 2024, with federal state elections planned for November. However, elite politicians and federal state presidents have raised doubts about the feasibility of these elections due to a lack of consensus and security concerns. A significant portion of the country remains under the control of Al-Shabaab, and regions like Puntland and Somaliland have opted out of participating.

Historically, the Somali parliament has faced challenges in implementing government-pushed bills, with many analysts predicting that this session will end with indirect elections and only minor modifications from previous processes. The outcome of this session will have significant implications for the political landscape and future governance of Somalia.