Author: scswe

Up for the Third Reading is the Data Protection Bill which seeks to entrench the protection of personal data by law and enable citizens to oblige the government to make public certain information through the office of the Data Protection Commissioner. The 54 member chamber will also debate the Immigration Bill which will be going through the Second Reading. Also up for Second Reading is the Somali Fisheries Development and Management Bill. The issue is likely to carry broader political weight as Somalia navigates federal power-sharing, regional competition and the search for stronger public institutions.

Somali Deputy PM Rejects Move to Strip him of Senate Seat | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has strongly condemned the decision to strip him of his Senate seat. In a statement released following the announcement, Jama rejected the Speaker’s authority to remove him from his senatorial position calling the move by Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi “illegitimate and unconstitutional.” “This decision is unconstitutional and goes beyond the powers vested in the Speaker. The notion that my seat can be declared vacant based on attendance is baseless.” He stated, adding that such actions could…

The session, convened in Mogadishu, marks the formal resumption of legislative business at a time when relations between the government and opposition figures remain strained. The suspension, widely criticised by opposition leaders have raised questions about inclusivity and consensus as Parliament embarks on deliberations over key constitutional provisions governing its own structure and powers. Officials indicated that the central item on the agenda is the review and debate of Chapter 6, which defines the composition, authority and procedures of the Federal Parliament. The chapter outlines the roles of both the House of the People and the Upper House, and sets…

Explainer: What Chapter 6 Says and Why Consensus Matters |MOGADISHU: As the Federal Parliament moves into debate on Chapter 6 of the Provisional Constitution, the focus is shifting to the substance of the chapter and the political environment in which the review is taking place. The provisions under discussion define the structure, authority and procedures of Parliament itself, making the question of consensus particularly significant. Federal Parliament Chapter 6 establishes the Federal Parliament as the country’s legislative authority and sets out its bicameral structure. It creates the House of the People, composed of 275 members representing Somali citizens, and the…

The session in Arusha marked another milestone in Somalia’s integration into the East African Community (EAC), with the country’s legislators participating in discussions on the bloc’s financial and policy agenda less than three years after Somalia joined the regional grouping. EALA on Monday approved a supplementary budget of $4.7 million for the 2025/26 financial year and received the proposed EAC budget for 2026/27, the first to be implemented under the bloc’s new five-year development strategy aimed at deepening regional integration and improving livelihoods across member states. Somalia’s nine-member delegation was present during the proceedings, underscoring Mogadishu’s efforts to play a…

Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale met officials from Mogadishu Al-Port Corp., operated by Turkey-based Albayrak, to discuss measures aimed at improving transparency, financial oversight and compliance with obligations outlined in the port management agreement. The discussions focused on strengthening accountability mechanisms and ensuring that audited financial statements are submitted on time to facilitate effective monitoring and verification of government revenues generated through the port. Gutale emphasized the importance of regular and timely financial disclosures, describing them as essential for enhancing oversight and ensuring public revenues are accurately tracked. Mogadishu Port is Somalia’s principal maritime gateway and a critical source of…

Mohamed Nur Olow, Director General of Somalia’s Data Protection Authority, made the remarks while attending the second Executive Committee meeting of the Islamic Network for Personal Data Protection Authorities (INPDPA) in Istanbul, where member states discussed ways to strengthen collaboration on privacy regulation, information security and emerging technological challenges. The meeting focused on implementing the network’s framework, enhancing cooperation among member countries and promoting the exchange of expertise on data governance and digital security. Olow said Somalia was committed to playing an active role in advancing the organization’s objectives and strengthening efforts aimed at protecting personal information and safeguarding citizens’…

Organized under the IFC-supported Somali Unlocking Sector Investment Project (Broadband Infrastructure Project), the two-day workshop aims to strengthen dialogue between the regulator and industry stakeholders, foster a shared understanding of the key challenges facing Somalia’s submarine cable sector, and identify practical measures to enhance the resilience and reliability of the country’s broadband infrastructure. Discussions focus on outage management, competition, infrastructure development, and the implementation of Somalia’s submarine cable regulatory framework. The workshop also reviews the findings of the recently completed report on Somalia’s telecommunications market, giving stakeholders an opportunity to validate key insights and discuss priorities for the sector’s future…

Firm Surrenders Seven Somalia Offshore Blocks as Turkish Drillship Moves In |MOGADISHU: A U.S.-based oil company has surrendered seven offshore blocks awarded under production sharing agreements with Somalia’s federal government, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has disclosed, citing the company’s inability to finance its contractual obligations. Speaking in a recent podcast interview, President Mohamud did not identify the company by name, but the disclosure points almost certainly to Houston-based Coastline Exploration Limited — the only company to have been awarded seven offshore blocks in Somalia. The Federal Government of Somalia ratified seven production sharing agreements with Coastline in October 2022, following…

The high-level forum focused on investment opportunities across key sectors of the Somali economy, including trade, infrastructure, fisheries, agriculture, energy, and technology. The event attracted representatives from both Somali and Italian companies and is expected to pave the way for new partnerships and commercial agreements. Speaking at the event, Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jama Hassan Khalif, said the presence of nearly 20 Italian business executives in Mogadishu underscored the growing confidence of international investors in Somalia’s economic prospects. “I am proud to have hosted the Somalia–Italy Business Week here in Mogadishu. Nearly 20 Italian business executives travelled to…