Parliament Reviews Opposition Talks, Legislative Agenda in Weekly Meeting

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s House of the People Standing Committee reviewed talks with opposition representatives and the progress of key legislation during its weekly meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday, as parliament moves to organise its priorities for the current session.

Speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur chaired the meeting at Villa Hargeysa alongside Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow.

The Speaker briefed committee members on his recent discussions with a committee representing opposition figures, following his pledge after taking office to engage political actors who have grievances and work towards resolving them.

Nur also updated the meeting on congratulatory messages received from speakers of foreign parliaments and international organisations following his election, as well as other business before the House.

A major part of the meeting focused on the parliamentary legislative programme.

House Secretary-General Abdirahman Mohamed Abdulle, known as Jabiri, presented members with an update on bills currently before parliamentary committees, including the stages they have reached.

Chairpersons of the various committees then reported on legislation under their responsibility, outlining the progress made, the stages completed and when the bills are expected to return to the House floor for further consideration.

The discussions come as parliament faces a wide legislative workload during its current session, including efforts to align existing laws with Somalia’s Constitution and consider international agreements requiring parliamentary ratification.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, while opening the eighth parliamentary session earlier this month, urged lawmakers to address legislation needed to strengthen the country’s legal and institutional framework.

The Standing Committee’s weekly review is therefore central to determining how those bills move through parliament, with committee reports helping lawmakers assess which legislation is ready for the next stage and where further work is required.

The meeting concluded with Speaker Nur calling on members to strengthen unity and cohesion within the House and ensure that parliament fulfils its constitutional responsibilities.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to leading the House in accordance with its internal rules and regulations.