Nairobi (WDN)- On January 19, 2026, the East African Court of Justice, located at Arusha, Tanzania, decided on the matter of seating and swearing in nine members of Somalia for the East African Legislative Assembly. The nine members were elected on October 11, 2025, by the bicameral Federal Republic of Somalia.    

However, Ambassador Mohamed Ahmed Awil, Ali Abudullahi Osman, and Abhdullahi Mohamad Ahmed said they were aggrieved by the decision made by the Federal Parliament of Somalia. They complained that the nine members were selected from the current President’s party, that some clans were excluded, and that parliamentary procedures were not followed.

The nine members were not sworn in on time due to a lower court’s decision on November 21, 2025. On November 27, 2025, the Federal Government of Somalia filed an appeal. 

The appeal was heard on January 19, 2026. In the hearing, the advocate for the plaintiff failed to provide proof or substantiate the claims of his clients. On the contrary, the advocate representing the Federal Government of Somalia succeeded in providing testimonies that are consistent with the regulations of the Community’s constitution.

Contrary to the claims made in the complaints filed by the aggrieved parties, the advocate for the Federal Government of Somalia argued that Somalia’s powersharing is based on the 4.5 formula and not non-existent political parties, as initially discussed by the plaintiffs. Nor did the complainers show any tangible evidence that the electoral process was flawed. 

After several hours of testimonial presentation, the Court found and passed:

1) To vacate the earlier decesion of 21st November, 2025 restraining the swearing in, taking of oath, and
2) Order that he nine (9) Members of Parliament elected on 15th October 2025 by the Federal Parliament of Somalia to the East African Legislative Assembly be seated and started their representation of the Federal Government of Somalia. 

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