Somalia Presidency’s Capture of the Bicameral Legislature

To protect the national interest of Somalia the bicameral legislature ought to be released from the clutches of Villa Somalia

Laascaanood  (PP Editorial) — The Somali neologism baarlatooyo is made up of Baarlamaan (parliament) and Madaxtooyo (presidency). It conveys the contours of a political phenomenon in Somalia: the capture of the legislature by the executive branch. Eager to capitalise on the war against Al-shabaab, the Federal Government of Somalia led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sponsored a bill to discuss a term extension for the current dispensation. Pretentiously unaware of the fragility of the federal institutions and their dependency on the largesse and protection of donors, the Federal Government of Somalia leaders conspire to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis. As the MP and former Presidential Candidate Abdirahman Abdishakur said “the government knows the crisis triggered by an attempt to extend the term of the previous government”. He urged the Federal Government of Somalia not to seek a similar outcome.

It is becoming abundantly clear that the Federal Government of Somalia needs institutions that can hold it accountable and dissuade it from pushing an authoritarian agenda. The communiques issued by the International Partners of Somalia cannot hide the gravity of the governance mishap resulting from stealthy power-grab being carried by Villa Somalia. Such a move by the incumbent administration does not only weaken the meagre legitimacy of federal institutions, but it imposes a huge opportunity cost on Somali citizens in terms of political instability. Only the Federal Member States can take the role of the captured bicameral legislature to keep the executive branch in check.

There is a need to form an alliance that can prevent the emergence of a dictatorial executive branch and an emasculated bicameral legislature in Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seems to be implementing theories he expounded in his PhD thesis that subordinates the role of the state and public interest to clan interests. No clique can dictate to the Somali public no matter how close it is to powerful countries whose interests myopic leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia are ostensibly serving. The Puntland State of Somalia is commendable for calling out the dictatorial agenda of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his handpicked loyalists. Somalia Presidency’s Capture of the bicameral legislature is a governance mishap. To protect the national interest of Somalia the bicameral legislature (the Upper House and the Lower House) ought to be released from the clutches of Villa Somalia.

© Puntland Post, 2023