Somalia speaker bans press conferences on parliamentary grounds

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Sunday September 8, 2024

FILE - Speaker ofSomalia'ss House of the People, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, presides over a parliamentary session in Mogadishu. Madobe announced a directive banning all press conferences on parliamentary grounds, raising questions about transparency and media access in the country.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Speaker of Somalia's House of the People has issued a directive banning all press conferences from being held both inside and outside the parliamentary premises.

The ban, announced on Friday, comes amid heightened political tensions following a press conference by MPs from the South West region. These lawmakers publicly supported the continued presence of Ethiopian troops in the Bakool area, a position that has stirred controversy within Parliament. Protests have also deepened divisions between lawmakers who support Ethiopian troops and those calling for their withdrawal.

A motion to revoke the parliamentary immunity of 25 MPs accused of backing these protests has been gaining momentum in the Lower House, with around 40 MPs supporting the motion. These lawmakers argue that the actions of the MPs in question undermine Somalia’s independence by endorsing foreign military forces.

While the Speaker has not disclosed an official reason for the ban, the timing coincides with the fallout from that event.

The directive's language suggests that press conferences could still be held off the official parliamentary grounds. However, it's uncertain whether such events would be subject to further limitations.

The directive directly impacts independent media outlets that routinely cover parliamentary activities. Opposition lawmakers, who frequently use press conferences to voice critiques of the government, will also face restrictions. Without access to these events, questions arise about the future of political transparency and open discourse in Somalia.

Despite the ban, many MPs have shifted to social media as an alternative platform to voice their opinions. Lawmakers critical of the government have increasingly taken to Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms to share their views. Political analysts have pointed out that while social media provides an alternative for MPs, it may not fully compensate for the loss of in-person press events, which allow for more direct questioning by journalists.

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