Monday September 2, 2024
FILE - Somali parliamentarians vote to endorse the country’s entry into the East African Community, marking a significant step towards regional integration and economic cooperation.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali lawmakers are advancing a motion to revoke the parliamentary immunity of 25 MPs who have been accused of supporting Ethiopian military presence in the country.
The motion, prepared by around 40 members of the Lower House of Parliament, targets MPs who allegedly endorsed protests favouring Ethiopian troops in the Bakool region.
The protests, which took place in two districts within Bakool, have raised concerns about national sovereignty and the role of foreign military forces in Somalia. Those behind the motion argue that the MPs' actions directly undermine Somalia's independence.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed MP Abdirashid Mohamed Nur Jilley from his position as the President's Special Envoy for Health and Nutrition. Jilley, one of the MPs supporting the Ethiopian troops, is among those targeted by the motion.
Despite the urgency, the motion has yet to be formally submitted to the Speaker of Parliament, Aadan Madoobe. However, reports indicate that the MPs behind the initiative are pressuring the Speaker to bring it forward for discussion.
In response to the growing tensions, Speaker Madoobe cancelled Monday's parliamentary session, sparking speculation that the presidency might be backing the move to strip the MPs of their immunity.
As of now, there have been no official statements from the main opposition parties regarding the motion to revoke the immunity of the 25 MPs supporting Ethiopian troops.
If the motion succeeds, it could set a precedent for how dissent is handled within the Somali government, potentially leading to a broader crackdown on MPs who oppose the administration's stance on foreign military involvement.