Scenes of disorder returned to Somalia’s lower house of parliament after members of parliament (MP) again failed to proceed with debate on disputed constitutional amendments backed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Footage shared widely on social media showed uniformed police officers inside the chamber in tense exchanges with lawmakers as the sitting unravelled.

MPs were heard chanting, shouting and blowing whistles in an effort to interrupt proceedings. According to local media reports, officers were allegedly instructed on Saturday to shoot any legislator who attempted to speak without the Speaker’s approval. The claim has not been addressed publicly by Somalia’s Police Chief.

The incident follows the suspension of 19 MPs accused of persistently disrupting earlier sessions.

The proposed constitutional amendments have exposed deep divisions across Somalia’s political spectrum. Dozens of lawmakers, together with at least two federal state administrations, oppose the changes, arguing that they could pave the way for an extension of Mohamud’s time in office.

–ChannelAfrica–