Somalia’s Parliament Takes Key Steps in Governance and Environmental Reform

 

On December 15, 2025, Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament convened in Mogadishu for its 22nd session of the 7th legislative term, marking another important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, accountability, and institutional development. The session resulted in the swearing-in of a new cabinet minister and progress on two significant draft bills related to environmental and climate governance.

The parliamentary session was chaired by the Speaker of the House, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), and attended by the Second Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Omar Abshirrow, alongside a quorum of lawmakers. Proceedings began with the formal oath-taking of Jamaal Mohamed Hassan, who was sworn in as Somalia’s new Minister of Commerce and Industry. His appointment comes at a critical time when Somalia is seeking to revitalize trade, attract investment, and rebuild key economic institutions after decades of instability.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, lawmakers turned their attention to legislative business, focusing on two draft bills introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. These bills underwent their first reading, a procedural stage that allows parliamentarians to familiarize themselves with proposed legislation before detailed debate begins.

The first draft bill seeks to establish the Somali Meteorological and Climate Service Agency. If approved, this agency would play a vital role in collecting and analyzing weather and climate data, improving early warning systems, and supporting disaster preparedness. Given Somalia’s vulnerability to droughts, floods, and other climate-related shocks, the creation of a dedicated meteorological institution is widely seen as a necessary step toward enhancing national resilience.

The second draft bill proposes the establishment of the National Environmental Management Authority. This body would be responsible for overseeing environmental protection, regulating natural resource use, and ensuring sustainable development practices across the country. Environmental degradation, deforestation, and land mismanagement have long posed serious challenges in Somalia, making this legislation particularly timely.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Bashir Mohamed Jama, presented reports on both draft bills to the House, outlining their objectives and institutional frameworks. While parliamentary rules do not permit detailed debate during the first reading, several lawmakers raised questions regarding the general principles, scope, and implementation mechanisms of the proposed laws.

In response, Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur instructed the relevant parliamentary committees to review the draft legislation and prepare them for a second reading. At that stage, members of parliament will be able to engage in full debate, propose amendments, and scrutinize the bills in detail before any final vote.

The developments during this session reflect Somalia’s gradual progress toward stronger legislative processes and functional governance institutions. The combination of cabinet appointments and forward-looking environmental legislation highlights the government’s intent to balance economic recovery with sustainable development.

As Somalia continues its state-building journey, such parliamentary actions signal a commitment to addressing both immediate governance needs and long-term national challenges, particularly those posed by climate change and environmental vulnerability.