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Procedural failures lead to dismissal of MP Abiib’s impeachment in Somaliland
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    Saturday July 27, 2024



    MP Mohamed Abiib receives a warm welcome from his hometown and constituents in Borama on July 20 following the recent attempt to lay impeachment charges against him.

    Hargeisa (HOL) — The Permanent Committee of the Somaliland House of Representatives has declared the impeachment case against MP Mohamed Abiib Yusuf illegal, citing procedural errors and insufficient grounds for the charges.

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    The House of Representatives convened this morning to vote on the impeachment motion against Abiib. However, the session failed to meet the quorum requirement of at least 55 MPs present, with only 49 MPs in attendance. The lack of quorum led Chairman Faratoon to adjourn the session, and Deputy Speaker Ali Hamud Jibril announced that the case would be dismissed. 

    A statement from the House of Representatives outlined the procedural failures in the impeachment process. "The Attorney General may file a criminal charge against a lawmaker after the member's immunity has been removed by a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the House." the release stated, adding that the impeachment process against Abiib did not follow this requirement.

    The case against Abiib has sparked significant controversy within Somaliland's political landscape.

    Abiib has strongly dismissed the charges brought against him by the Attorney General of Somaliland, labelling them as baseless and politically motivated. He claims President Bihi's administration is targeting critics following its unsuccessful attempts to fulfill its responsibilities. "When this country is not being served, they turn against anyone who criticizes the hostile practices of our leaders. They have done it before, and we must defend our freedom and rights," Abiib said during a press conference in Hargeisa last week.

    The controversy over Abiib's case has also drawn condemnation from some members of Somalia's Federal Government House of Representatives. MP Asha Koos, representing the Awdal region, stated that Abiib enjoys immunity and was elected by the people of Awdal, making his removal from office impossible. "We stand united in the belief that if Abiib is targeted, the rest of us from Awdal will resign," Koos declared. The MPs warned that any action against Abiib, who is accused of visiting Djibouti and the Somali embassy there, would prompt the people of Awdal to reconsider their affiliation with Somaliland.

    Speaker of the House, Prof. Faratoon, is accused of being behind the charges against Abiib following several confrontations during parliamentary sessions. Abiib has previously used strong language against Faratoon, telling him to "shut up" during heated exchanges. Abiib emphasized that he would never trade Somaliland for another place and refused bribes allegedly offered to him. He stated he would resign only if the people of Awdal expressed dissatisfaction with his representation, refusing to be removed based on what he called a fabricated story concocted by failing politicians and young tribalists.

     





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