Somalia’s parliament has cancelled a motion seeking the removal of Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh after several lawmakers reportedly denied signing or supporting the proposal.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia’s speaker of parliament has cancelled a motion seeking the removal of Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh after an investigation found that some lawmakers whose names and signatures appeared on the document denied involvement in the initiative.
Speaker of the House of the People Abdirahman Mohamed Nur, also known as Jaamac, announced the decision after parliamentary authorities reviewed signatures attached to the motion, which had been submitted by a group of lawmakers seeking to begin impeachment proceedings against the interior minister.
The speaker said the verification process revealed that some legislators listed as supporters of the motion had subsequently confirmed that they had not signed or participated in preparing the document.
The discovery meant the proposal had failed to meet the legal and procedural requirements necessary for it to proceed through parliament, Jaamac said.
“Following the verification of the signatures, it became clear that the proposal did not fulfil the required conditions,” the speaker said, according to the parliamentary decision.
He cited Article 75 of the House of the People’s internal regulations, which outlines the procedures governing parliamentary motions and proposals.
Under the rules, such proposals must be submitted in writing and carry the signatures of the minimum number of lawmakers required by parliamentary regulations.
Jaamac said the chamber’s leadership also had the authority to return or cancel proposals that failed to comply with the procedures and conditions established under the House's internal rules.
The cancellation of the motion does not, however, prevent lawmakers from submitting a new proposal seeking to hold members of the government accountable, provided that any future initiative complies with constitutional and parliamentary requirements, he added.
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The motion against Hosh had accused the interior minister of failing to adequately carry out his official responsibilities and neglecting key duties assigned to his ministry.
Lawmakers behind the initiative also accused him of failing to take effective action to address ongoing internal conflicts in parts of the country.
Somalia has faced persistent political and security tensions, including disputes involving the federal government and some regional administrations, while armed conflict and clan-related violence continue to affect several areas.
The legislators who backed the now-cancelled motion further accused Hosh of repeatedly acting against Somalia’s federal system and undermining the constitutional division of powers between the central government and federal member states.
No immediate response from Hosh was available following the speaker’s announcement.
The failed motion highlights the continuing political tensions within Somalia's federal institutions, where disputes over power-sharing and relations between Mogadishu and regional states have frequently spilled into parliament.
Under Somalia’s constitutional system, lawmakers retain the right to scrutinise government officials and pursue accountability measures. But parliamentary initiatives must follow strict procedural requirements, including verification of the signatures supporting any formal motion.
Jaamac said the House of the People remained committed to protecting lawmakers’ constitutional rights while ensuring that parliamentary procedures were respected.
His decision effectively ends the current attempt to remove Hosh from office, although the allegations against the minister could be revived through a new motion if lawmakers are able to meet the required legal and procedural thresholds.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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