President Mohamud Urges New Speaker to Make Parliament a Force for Unity

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal government of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged Somalia’s newly elected parliament speaker to uphold the constitution, strengthen consultation and put the public interest at the centre of the House of the People’s work, as the lower house prepares for a demanding period of political and legislative activity.

President Mohamud’s message came after lawmakers elected Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur as speaker on Monday, giving him 142 votes against 30 for his rival, Abdulkadir Omar Maalin. Two ballots were declared spoiled.

Nur succeeds Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who left the speakership after being elected president of South West State in June.

Congratulating the new speaker, President Mohamud said the House of the People had a central role in Somalia’s state-building, particularly through legislation, representation and oversight of government institutions.

He urged Nur to lead the chamber in accordance with the Federal Constitution, with emphasis on national unity, consultation and the wider interests of Somalis.

The president’s message comes as Somalia’s political institutions face contentious debates over elections, constitutional reforms and the relationship between the federal government and the country’s federal member states.

Nur, in his first address after the vote, sought to position himself as an impartial figure.

He said he had resigned from his government positions and from the Justice and Solidarity Party after his election, citing constitutional and parliamentary provisions governing the speakership. Before entering the chair, he had served as minister of ports and marine transport.

He said the decision was intended to protect the neutrality of the office and allow him to carry out his constitutional responsibilities without political affiliation.

One of Nur’s most significant pledges was to seek the return of lawmakers who have stayed away from parliament because of political grievances.

He said he would work with his deputies, parliamentary committees, the president and the executive to develop a mechanism for addressing those disputes. He also pledged closer cooperation between the federal parliament and the legislatures of Somalia’s federal member states.

The commitments could test the new speaker’s ability to act as a mediator at a time when political divisions have repeatedly affected relations between Mogadishu and regional administrations.

Nur also outlined an agenda focused on strengthening parliamentary oversight of the executive, speeding up consideration of important legislation and improving the professional capacity of lawmakers and parliamentary staff.

He called for stronger parliamentary committees, improved research and legal advisory services, greater use of technology and regular training.

The new speaker brings extensive government and diplomatic experience to the post. He previously served at Somalia’s embassy in Ankara and held senior positions within the National Intelligence and Security Agency before serving as minister of justice, defence and, most recently, ports and marine transport.

His election also leaves the ports and marine transport ministry without a minister at a time when Somalia is expanding cooperation with Turkey on maritime and fisheries-related projects.

For President Mohamud, the change in parliamentary leadership comes at a consequential moment. The federal parliament is approaching the final stages of its current legislative programme, with constitutional and legal reforms among the issues requiring attention.

The president has called for parliament to complete key constitutional and legislative work, including aligning existing laws with the constitution and considering international agreements.

The new speaker will therefore face the dual challenge of managing parliament’s immediate legislative workload while attempting to bridge political divisions among lawmakers and between federal institutions and the member states.

Mohamud wished Nur success and urged him to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to him by parliament.

Nur, for his part, told lawmakers that his election should mark a new phase for the chamber, promising to act as an advocate for all Somalis rather than as a representative of any particular political camp.