Somali MP Abdullahi losses seat for absenteeism, 106 MPs reject decision
As a result, Speaker Madoobe declared Dr Abdullahi’s seat, number HOP201 in the northern Somaliland State, vacant and directed the Election and Boundaries Commission, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for holding elections, to immediately fill the position through a by-election.
Somali Member of Parliament Abdullahi Hashi Abiib has lost his parliamentary seat for missing two consecutive parliamentary sessions, Somalia’s Speaker of Parliament Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur “Madoobe” declared on Saturday.
In a statement issued by his office, Speaker Madoobe said that Dr Abdullahi had been absent from parliamentary sessions without written approval or valid reasons, thereby violating parliamentary standing orders and consequently losing his parliamentary seat and all its privileges.
“In accordance with Article 59, paragraph (d) of the provisional constitution, which outlines the grounds on which a Member of Parliament can lose their seat in the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Dr Abdullahi Hashi Abiib has been absent from two consecutive parliamentary sessions without providing valid reasons for his absence. As such, he has lost his seat in the Federal Parliament of Somalia,” the Speaker’s statement read.
As a result, Speaker Madoobe declared Dr Abdullahi’s seat, number HOP201 in the northern Somaliland State, vacant and directed the Election and Boundaries Commission, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for holding elections, to immediately fill the position through a by-election.
Shortly after, in a strongly worded statement, 106 Members of Parliament rejected the Speaker’s decision, declaring it null and void, arguing that he lacked the authority to unilaterally declare a parliamentary seat vacant.
“Honourable Speaker, we wish to inform you that your statement violates the provisional constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders. Declaring a seat vacant is not within your powers as Speaker of Parliament. According to the Parliamentary Standing Orders, you cannot unilaterally declare a seat vacant,” the MPs’ statement read.
The MPs further stated that for a Member of Parliament to lose their seat, two-thirds of the House must vote for their removal. They warned Speaker Madoobe that he risked losing his own seat for violating the constitution and parliamentary standing orders by making a unilateral decision to declare Dr Abdullahi’s seat vacant.
The MPs' statement has now thrown the matter into uncertainty, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis. Somalia has no constitutional court to mediate such disputes, and similar crises in the past have often dragged on unresolved.
Mohamed Dahir, a political analyst, argued that Dr Abdullahi’s removal was more political than constitutional, pointing out that other MPs who had also missed several parliamentary sessions had not been subjected to the same treatment due to their political affiliations.
“If missing parliamentary sessions leads to losing a seat, then many MPs who have also missed two consecutive sessions should have been dismissed,” Mohamed told Eastleigh Voice.
Dr Abdullahi could not immediately be reached for comment. The MP has been a vocal critic of the government, accusing top officials of corruption and exposing what he described as fraudulent contracts linked to senior officials.
Last year, Dr Abdullahi claimed his life was in danger after receiving threatening messages, forcing him to flee the country. His close allies say he is currently in the United States.
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