Somalia parliament debated on NISA and Immigration bills

The two chambers of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia held separate sessions in Mogadishu on Saturday, February 18, 2023, with several agenda items to debate.

Members of Parliament’s upper house are gathering to discuss two agenda items: the second reading of the National Security and Intelligence Agency Bill and the third reading of the upper house’s proposed by-law. The bill’s second and first readings have already been debated by the council, and the senators voted and approved it.

The People’s Assembly, on the other hand, holds its regular meetings at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu. 150 members attend the session.

The members passed vital bills which are financial procedures of underground resources and the creation of an agency for immigration and citizenship.

148 mps voted yes, two abstained on the bill of financial procedure of underground resources, while 149 voted and one abstained on the bill of immigration and citizenship agency.

The bills on investor and investment protection and immigration legislation were read for the first time.

In addition, the drafts of two bills: data protection and environmental management were distributed to the members. These are proposed by the respective ministries of telecommunications, environment, and climate change.

The People’s Assembly meetings have been called off several times due to a lack of quorum. Abdullahi Omar, the Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, stated last Wednesday that MPs who did not attend House meetings would be held accountable.