Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament remains at the center of the country’s deepening political crisis. Controversially extended in late 2020, it functions as a key driver of the stalemate that has paralyzed Somalia’s electoral and governance systems. Under the leadership of Speaker Mohammed Mursal, a close ally of President Farmaajo, the House has lost independence and credibility, becoming increasingly seen as an appendage of the Executive. The Parliament routinely violates the provisional constitution, flouts its own rules, and has facilitated Villa Somalia’s prolonged gerrymandering and electoral delays. The opposition fears that the House may be used to illegally extend Farmaajo’s stay in power, leveraging “business-as-usual” sessions to smuggle motions through. This concern is rooted in Mursal’s record of rapid and politically motivated decisions, including the 2020 ouster of former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in under eight minutes. International partners have pressured Mursal to prevent any unconstitutional extension, yet Farmaajo continues to pursue his plan with Mursal’s support.
Somalia is facing a deepening political crisis as former President Farmaajo attempts to extend his mandate, threatening the nation’s stability. Recent chaos in parliament, where pro-Farmaajo and opposition MPs clashed, underscores the risk of escalating conflict. Reports of NISA plainclothes teams being deployed further fuel fears of a forceful push to legitimize an illegal extension. Talks based on the 17 September electoral accord have run their course, revealing that Somalia’s political actors alone cannot achieve a consensus. Experts argue that a neutral multiparty mediation led by international partners is essential to break the deadlock. A proposed 4-point strategy includes: (1) immediate takeover by international partners to mediate, host, and manage elections, (2) a clear call to Villa Somalia to abandon the mandate extension plan, (3) recognition of Farmaajo as a candidate, not an interim leader, and (4) full transfer of executive powers to the Prime Minister or Speaker of Parliament. This approach aims to prevent further political fragmentation, safeguard democratic processes, and restore public trust. Without decisive international intervention, Somalia risks further instability, polarized governance, and erosion of constitutional order.