Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s federal legislature has been thrust into its most dramatic political standoff in years. Since March 15, 2025, the House of the People—Somalia’s lower chamber of parliament—has descended into gridlock, with growing tensions now threatening to paralyze legislative functions altogether.
At the heart of the impasse is Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, more commonly known as Adan Madobe, and a growing bloc of lawmakers seeking his removal. What began as a dispute over parliamentary attendance has since spiraled into a full-blown institutional crisis involving allegations of power abuse, competing interpretations of parliamentary rules, and accusations of political retaliation.
The Spark: Revocation of a Parliamentary Seat
The crisis was ignited when Speaker Madobe took the unusual step of unilaterally revoking the membership of MP Abdullahi Hashi Abiib, holder of seat HOP#201, citing his absence from two consecutive sessions without an official excuse. The Speaker’s move was grounded in Article 8 of the House’s Rules of Procedure, which stipulates that an MP may lose their seat under such circumstances.
But the decision drew immediate backlash. Several lawmakers accused the Speaker of overstepping his mandate. They pointed to Article 50 of the same rules, which asserts that only the Committee on Rules, Ethics, and Privileges can recommend disciplinary action or revocation of membership. The unilateral nature of Madobe’s action was labeled not just unconstitutional but politically motivated.
From Protest to Impeachment
By April 19, as the House returned from recess, a group of MPs openly declared their intention to file a motion to impeach Speaker Madobe. Tensions boiled over. The Speaker dismissed the motion as illegitimate and refused to allow it onto the floor for discussion. The session collapsed amid protests, shouting matches, and widespread confusion.
In the days that followed, opposition lawmakers claimed momentum. On April 27, they announced they had secured more than 100 signatures—well above the threshold required for initiating an impeachment motion—and planned to present the case formally.
In what some interpreted as a conciliatory gesture, Speaker Madobe issued a letter on April 29 referring the case of MP Abiib to the Ethics Committee for review. But critics weren’t convinced. The letter lacked an official government reference number and bore no formal signature, leading many to dismiss it as an attempt to deflect pressure without making meaningful concessions.
A Boiling Point
April 30 marked a turning point. As the House convened once again, supporters of the impeachment motion disrupted proceedings with chants, banners, and vocal objections. The heated atmosphere quickly escalated into physical altercations between MPs on the floor of the chamber—an unprecedented moment of open confrontation in Somalia’s post-conflict legislature.
Unable to restore order, Speaker Madobe abruptly adjourned the session. Hours later, his office issued a statement suspending 24 MPs from attending future sittings—most of whom were key figures behind the impeachment effort. The matter has now been handed to the Ethics Committee, though critics fear the move is a clear act of political retaliation rather than a procedural necessity.
A Nation Watching
For a country still navigating its democratic transition after decades of conflict, the unfolding crisis has raised serious concerns. What many are now witnessing is a high-stakes power struggle playing out in real time—one that could have lasting repercussions on the credibility of the legislature and the trajectory of Somalia’s governance.
