By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 23 September 2026 Somalia’s House of the People on Wednesday voted to annul a decision issued by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre requiring government ministries and agencies to fill department director positions through open competition.
The issue was brought before parliament after around 30 lawmakers submitted a motion asking the House leadership to debate the Prime Minister’s decision. The matter was subsequently added to the parliamentary agenda.
Lawmakers held hours of debate over the potential consequences of changing the existing system and legal framework governing Somalia’s civil service.
Some lawmakers argued that the decision could affect officials currently holding department director positions and could result in some officials losing the positions they currently occupy.
Following the debate, Deputy Speaker of the House of the People, Abdullahi Omar Abshir, who chaired the session, put the decision to a vote.
A total of 136 lawmakers voted to annul the decision, while two voted against and two abstained.
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“Two lawmakers abstained, two voted against the annulment, while 136 lawmakers voted in favour,” Deputy Speaker said.
Prime Minister Hamza issued the decision on September 17, 2026, directing ministries and government agencies to implement a recruitment and appointment system based on competence and merit.
The Prime Minister also instructed the Civil Service Commission to begin the first phase of the reform of department director positions on September 20.
The plan was intended to give qualified civil servants an equal opportunity to compete for the positions, with candidates assessed based on competence, knowledge, experience, leadership and performance.
The parliamentary vote has now halted the implementation of the decision, with the Deputy Speaker saying the matter had been returned to the Federal Government.