By Abdullahi Ahmed Nor

Somalia’s Federal Parliament, the House of the People, is reeling from what many describe as one of the darkest and most shameful episodes in its history. Under the leadership of Speaker SheikhAadan Mohamed Nuur (Aadan Madoobe), the institution meant to safeguard Somalia’s fragile democracy is instead showing signs of decay, coercion, and authoritarian drift.

While Speaker Madoobe boarded a flight to Algiers, capital of Algeria, for the Conference of Arab Parliament Speakers—a forum convened to discuss the plight of the Palestinian people—chaos unfolded back home. Madoobe’s departure from Aden Adde International Airport coincided with a violent eruption in Parliament that has sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

According to reports from multiple lawmakers and parliamentary insiders, Speaker Madoobe’s arrival at the Parliament hall earlier that day triggered a violent standoff. What began as an ordinary session quickly devolved into brutality and fear, as security forces physically assaulted Members of Parliament (MPs) who were calling for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker himself.

“It’s extremely concerning—the violence that unfolded in Parliament today is beyond comprehension,” one Federal MP stated. “Seeing elected lawmakers attacked for fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities is an attack on democracy itself.”

The situation escalated after the Chief Whip of Parliament, Mohamed A. Hassan (Nuh), allegedly ordered the parliament’s protective detail and armed forces to strike MPs who were leading the motion. Eyewitnesses say soldiers, including units from the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), entered the chamber and began forcibly removing and physically confronting MPs.

This blatant show of force sent a chilling message—not only to parliamentarians, but to the Somali public: Dissent will be punished.

The violence was not limited to MPs alone. Independent journalists were barred from the premises, with some having their equipment confiscated, in what appears to be a deliberate crackdown on media freedom. Despite public statements from the Speaker’s office claiming that journalists should not be obstructed, those critical of the current leadership say the Speaker’s directives prevented opposition MPs from speaking to the media, cutting off a vital channel of communication between representatives and their constituents.

“In any democracy, media freedom is non-negotiable,” said an MP on the House Information Committee. “When reporters are threatened and gagged, it’s not just freedom of speech that suffers—it’s the people’s right to know.”

In a further alarming development, Speaker Madoobe issued a letter late last night banning 20 MPs from attending future parliamentary sessions, citing unspecified “security concerns.” The letter has been condemned as politically motivated and unlawful, as there has been no transparent process or legal basis provided for the expulsions. The Speaker has also requested the Legal Committee of the House to present disciplinary recommendations against these MPs, a move many believe is meant to silence and intimidate critics.

This comes after the recent expulsion of MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib, carried out without parliamentary consensus or clear legal grounds. The act has drawn sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics warning that the independence of the legislature is being systematically dismantled.

Moreover, a particularly egregious incident reportedly involved the verbal abuse of a disabled MP, an event that has appalled lawmakers and citizens alike. Physical altercations have also been witnessed on the Parliament floor, further highlighting the breakdown of decorum and respect within the national legislature. “This isn’t politics—this is tyranny,” said another MP. “Parliament has turned into a war zone. Instead of reasoned debate, we now see violence, censorship, and political cleansing.”

The crisis has sparked national outrage. Civil society organizations and rights groups have issued statements condemning the misuse of force and calling for the protection of lawmakers and journalists. Many have accused the Speaker of overseeing a campaign of political persecution, manipulating state institutions, and abusing public resources to entrench his power.

“We are witnessing the erosion of every democratic safeguard,” said a representative from a Mogadishu-based legal watchdog. “When the Speaker of Parliament becomes a source of fear rather than stability, it is the nation that suffers.”

Yet even as parliament burned figuratively—and nearly literally—Speaker Madoobe was en route to a foreign conference to speak on justice and humanitarian crises abroad. His trip to Algeria to discuss the plight of Palestinians has been described by critics as an attempt to evade accountability at home, while projecting moral authority abroad.

“It is deeply ironic,” said one analyst. “How can one advocate for human rights internationally while trampling on them domestically?”

The House Information Committee, along with several MPs, has now issued a formal statement condemning the Speaker’s actions, particularly the “illegal use of security forces against media and MPs,” and calling for a full investigation into the events.

Despite this, the path forward remains uncertain. The public trust in Parliament is at its lowest in years. With corruption, political favoritism, and violent repression on the rise, the Somali people are left wondering whether democratic governance has any real defenders left in the capital.

“Our country deserves better,” said one of the MPs who survived the physical attacks. “We demand accountability. We demand justice. And above all, we demand our democracy back.”

As Somalia stands at this dangerous crossroads, the question now is whether those responsible for this democratic backsliding will be held to account, or whether the crisis will deepen, potentially endangering the hard-won, though fragile, gains made since Somalia began rebuilding its governance structures.

Somalia’s future depends on urgent, peaceful, and lawful action—by MPs, by civil society, and by international partners—to restore integrity, ensure accountability, and protect the rights of all citizens, including those elected to serve them.

Abdullahi Ahmed Nor
Email: abdulahinor231@gmail.com

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