Addis Ababa, November 27, 2024 (FBC) – The Members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia (the House of the People and the Upper House) issued a statement to the Somali public, stakeholders, and political actors, highlighting the alarming trajectory of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
“This administration has plunged the nation into chaos through authoritarianism, constitutional violations, misuse of the military for political gain, and systemic corruption. These actions have eroded trust, exacerbated clan divisions, and undermined the Provisional Constitution,” the statement says.
The government is defined by inefficiency, resource plundering, displacement of citizens, selling public assets for personal gain, and flawed agreements motivated solely by financial benefits.
Meanwhile, the fight against Al-Shabaab has stagnated, with national forces divided along clan lines and used to destabilize peaceful areas rather than combating terrorism.
Members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia congratulated to the Legitimately Re-elected Jubaland President.
In a statement, they said, “We extend our congratulations to President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) on his lawful re-election. We pray for his success in delivering justice, tangible development, and prioritizing the interests of both Jubaland and the Somali nation.”
Under a subtopic entitled “Flawed Governance and Divisive Actions”, the parliamentarians outlined that, “The weak government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has rejected Jubaland’s election results, aiming to unlawfully extend their term. This betrayal of federalism reflects a shift toward dictatorship, with the judiciary exploited to resolve political conflicts despite the absence of a constitutional court.
They further outlined “Key Warnings to the Federal Government” as follows:
- “One Person, One Vote” as a Pretext: – The push for “one person, one vote” is a facade for extending the president’s term. Misusing the military to destabilize Jubaland exposes an authoritarian agenda.
- Reviving Clan Divisions: – The administration’s actions are reigniting clan-based divisions and risking a return to the civil war of 1991, reversing decades of progress.
- Mlegal Term Extensions: – Any unconstitutional extension will destabilize Somalia, undermine trust, and create security vulnerabilities.
- Division of National Forces: – Splitting the Somali National Army weakens its integrity, emboldens Al-Shabaab, and jeopardizes security.
- Politicizing the Judiciary:- Using the judiciary for political ends undermines its independence, croding public confidence in state institutions.
- Parliamentary Interference: – Parliament has been reduced to a rubber stamp for the executive, prioritizing personal enrichment over national interests.
- Parliamentary Mismanagement: – Under its current leadership, parliament has passed unconstitutional laws and bypassed proper procedures, carning it a reputation as the weakest in Somalia’s history.
The Federal Government’s actions risk Somalia’s unity, security, and sovereignty, they underscored in the statement.
In conclusion, they called on the administration to halt interference in state institutions and respect the Provisional Constitution, end the misuse of military forces and restore focus on combating Al-Shabaab, abandon divisive tactics and prioritize national unity and development.
“Somalia is at a crossroads. Wisdom and national interest must prevail before irreversible damage is done,” they added.