MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Somalia’s Senate has removed Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama after he missed four consecutive sessions of the Parliament, despite continuing to receive payments.
On Saturday, Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi signed a directive authorizing the removal of Mr. Jama from his seat, UH 50, representing Somaliland.
“Mr. Salah Ahmed Jama did not attend four consecutive sessions of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia,” said Speaker Abdi Hashi.
As a result, Ibrahim Idle Suleyman, who had previously contested for the position and was the designated standby candidate, was selected to fill seat UH 50.
“Article 19 (4) of the rules of procedure of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia states that a member who misses two consecutive sessions loses their seat,” the Speaker stated in the decree.
The unique electoral process for Somaliland representatives selected from Mogadishu, as outlined during the 2021 elections, allows them to be selected through an indirect method.
Somaliland claims to be an independent country and does not recognise the lawmakers in the Somalia parliament who occupy seats under its name.
The Speaker further explained that since there is no federal state government that had appointed Mr. Jama as a representative, he decided to fill the seat with Mr. Suleyman, who comes from the same clan as Jama.
In addition to his senatorial position, Mr. Jama held the role of Deputy Prime Minister, receiving payments for both.
Although he did not attend House sessions and conducted no business, he continued to receive his senatorial salary and allowances, funded primarily by international assistance from Western nations.
It is unclear whether Mr. Jama will be required to return the funds.
Historically, no Somali official has been forced to repay money obtained illegally, and corruption remains pervasive in government affairs.