Somali Parliament Overturns Government Directive on Civil Service Recruitment

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s House of the People has voted to revoke Law No. 132 of May 11, 2023, and a September 17, 2026 resolution issued by the Prime Minister’s Office concerning the implementation of an open competitive system for recruitment and promotion in the civil service.

The parliamentary resolution, dated September 23, also directs the Civil Service Commission to ensure that recruitment and promotions are conducted through a transparent and competitive process based on equal opportunity and free from favouritism, discrimination and abuse of authority.

The House said recruitment and promotion procedures must comply with the Constitution and existing laws, with clear and equal procedures governing appointments within government institutions.

The resolution further instructs the Civil Service Commission to submit a report on government recruitment and implementation of the parliamentary decision, in line with constitutional provisions and the civil service law.

The decision was adopted during a House session on September 23 in a vote recorded as 140 in favour, 136 against, two abstentions and two members absent.

The vote comes amid broader efforts to strengthen procedures governing public-sector recruitment and promotion, with parliament stressing the need for competitive and transparent processes within Somalia’s civil service.