MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Federal Parliament of Somalia was unable to convene its scheduled session on May 7, 2025, due to a lack of quorum, amid ongoing political tensions and increasing absenteeism among lawmakers.

Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Adan Madobe), confirmed that only 120 Members of Parliament were present, falling short of the 139 required to reach quorum. The Speaker expressed deep concern over the persistent absence of MPs, especially those residing in Mogadishu, and called on lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duties.

“Some MPs consider absence as a minor issue and have normalized not attending while living in the capital,” said Speaker Madobe. “I urge them to honor the responsibilities they were elected to fulfill and uphold the trust of the Somali people.”

The Speaker emphasized the detrimental impact of absenteeism on parliamentary functions and warned that failure to attend sessions undermines the institution’s credibility and democratic mandate.

The cancellation of today’s session comes amid an escalating political dispute within the chamber, primarily centered on a motion to remove Speaker Adan Madobe from office. The controversy follows his unilateral decision in March to revoke the seat of MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib, sparking legal and constitutional debates and subsequent calls for his impeachment by a group of lawmakers.