Somali lawmaker Yusuf Gama’adiid has challenged $800 salary deductions imposed on some MPs over missed parliamentary sessions, questioning the procedure while supporting accountability for absentee lawmakers.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — A Somali lawmaker has challenged the deduction of $800 from the salaries of some federal parliamentarians over their absence from parliamentary sessions, saying he supports accountability but objects to the way the measure was implemented.
Yusuf Gama’adiid, a member of the House of the People, the lower house of Somalia’s federal parliament, said some lawmakers, many of them from the opposition, had been subjected to the deductions without what he described as a proper procedure.
“$800 has been deducted from the lawmakers, and we have serious concerns about it. We support accountability, but the way it was carried out was wrong,” Gama’adiid told the media.
He did not oppose efforts to hold lawmakers accountable for failing to attend parliamentary sessions, but said the process used to impose the financial penalties was the main source of disagreement.
The deductions have sparked complaints among affected legislators, raising questions about how parliamentary attendance rules are enforced and how disciplinary measures are applied within the legislature.
House of the People Speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, known as Jama, has urged lawmakers who object to the deductions to submit their complaints formally through the procedures set out in the chamber’s internal rules.
Jama said the legislators should follow the established parliamentary process so that their grievances could be considered and they could receive an explanation for the deductions from their salaries.
The dispute comes after parliamentary leadership warned that action would be taken against lawmakers who repeatedly miss sessions and fail to fulfil their legislative responsibilities.
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Attendance has been a persistent challenge for Somalia’s parliament, with repeated quorum shortages affecting proceedings and making it difficult for lawmakers to conduct scheduled business.
A quorum is the minimum number of legislators required to be present for a parliamentary session to proceed with official business. When too few members attend, sessions can be delayed or suspended, disrupting legislative work.
The recurring absences have also contributed to delays in parliamentary debates and other duties, including consideration of legislative proposals and oversight of government institutions.
The latest dispute highlights the challenge facing parliamentary leaders as they seek to enforce attendance requirements while addressing concerns over the fairness and transparency of disciplinary measures.
It was not immediately clear how many lawmakers had been affected by the latest deductions, whether all the penalties were imposed under the same procedure or when the complaints would be formally reviewed.
Somalia’s federal parliament plays a central role in passing legislation, scrutinising government activities and debating national policy. Disruptions to its proceedings can delay decisions on issues requiring legislative approval and limit opportunities for lawmakers to question government officials.
The dispute over salary deductions is likely to put further focus on parliamentary attendance, internal procedures and the relationship between the chamber’s leadership and members who have challenged the disciplinary action.
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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