Tuesday June 13, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre appeared before the standing committee of the People's Assembly of the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu on Tuesday after being summoned to answer questions.
The meeting, chaired by the Speaker of the House, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, was attended by the First Deputy Speaker of the People's Assembly, Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar, and other members of the Standing Committee. The discussion focused on strengthening and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of the Somali government.
According to a statement from the meeting, the agenda of the third extraordinary meeting was to question the Prime Minister. He briefed the committee on the progress made in the war against al Shabab and the delivery of government services to the public.
While the Somali government-led anti-al Shabab operations were halted weeks ago, the group has intensified its attacks on the African Union and Somali troops' bases and the capital. Just a week ago, al Shabab killed 54 Ugandan troops after attacking an AU base in the Lower Shabelle region.
The latest attack came as ATMIS is expected to withdraw 2,000 of its troops by the end of June in a phased handover of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces. The AU mission is expected to fully exit Somalia by Dec. 31, 2024.
The Prime Minister emphasized that every political agreement reached by the National Consultative Council will be presented to the People's Assembly in accordance with the Constitution and the Bylaws of the People's Assembly.
Last week, despite opposition from senior political figures in the country, the Somali Council of Ministers approved the political agreement reached by the National Consultative Council in Mogadishu. During the weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Thursday, he instructed his cabinet to prepare the necessary legislation to enforce the agreement swiftly.
The political agreement introduced direct elections as early as the next year, unified the election schedules, and endorsed establishing a presidential system for the country.
However, this brought debates among the ordinary people and political figures, and they called the parliament to refuse to approve the agreement, which has already opposed by Puntland regional state.
The Prime Minister praised the Assembly for approving essential laws for the country, particularly those concerning debt relief and national security. He urged them to pass the pending laws and emphasized the importance of future legislation for the country. Barre also emphasized his government's commitment to sustainability, accountability, good governance, and the fight against corruption.
A statement from the meeting noted that the members of the Standing Committee and the Prime Minister agreed that the Council of Ministers should be prepared for a briefing and questioning meeting when the appropriate time arises.