Somalia’s political elite committed to allocating 30% of parliamentary seats to women, a move celebrated as a step toward gender equality. However, the implementation has raised serious concerns. Evidence suggests that the quota is sometimes weaponized female candidates are strategically fielded to unseat powerful opposition figures rather than to genuinely promote women’s political participation. Recent cases, including those involving Maj-Gen Dahir Adan Elmi “Indho Qarshe” and opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur, highlight how the system can be manipulated to influence electoral outcomes. While the proportion of female MPs has grown gradually since 2009, projections indicate Somalia will still miss its 30% target, landing around 25–27%. More troubling is the inexperience of many women elected, with little political background or activism in gender rights. Analysts argue that while numerical representation is important, quality matters just as much. The current ad hoc quota system allows for political exploitation, undermining its intent.