Mogadishu, Somalia – The Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, Aadan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), has announced that MP Abdullahi Hashi Abiib has lost his parliamentary seat after being absent for an extended period. The Speaker’s Office has directed relevant authorities to begin the process of filling the vacant seat.

Why Was MP Abiib Dismissed?

According to the official letter from the Speaker’s Office, MP Abiib failed to attend two consecutive parliamentary sessions without providing a valid excuse. This, the statement says, violates both the Provisional Constitution and the internal regulations of the House of the People.

The letter also disclosed that MP Abiib had only attended five out of 141 parliamentary sessions since his election.

“As per the resolution and in accordance with the Provisional Constitution and the internal regulations of the House of the People, Dr. Abdullahi Hashi Abiib has lost his parliamentary seat, as he failed to present an official and legally valid excuse,” the statement declared.

Political Controversy Surrounding the Decision

The decision has sparked significant controversy, with some MPs and federal member states rejecting the Speaker’s move, questioning his authority to unilaterally declare the dismissal of an MP.

This decision follows a press conference held by a group of parliamentarians, who accused the parliamentary leadership of orchestrating a political campaign to silence dissenting voices.

“We warn the Speaker of Parliament against dismissing MP Abiib. He has consistently exposed government corruption, particularly in maritime affairs. If this decision is enforced, it could have serious political consequences,” stated a declaration from MPs opposing the move.

Will the Dismissal Be Enforced?

MP Abiib, elected from Awdal region, has been known for publishing critical reports against the government and the parliamentary leadership. His removal has led to speculation that the decision was politically motivated to silence opposition voices.

This case is being compared to that of MP Salah Jama, who was temporarily suspended for excessive absences. However, his situation was later resolved through negotiations within the Upper House.

With tensions rising, it remains unclear whether the dismissal of MP Abiib will be enforced, as strong opposition from MPs and regional administrations has emerged against the decision.