Somalia's Lower House of Parliament has annulled a directive issued by the Prime Minister's Office that required federal ministries and government agencies to use an open competitive process to appoint department directors. The decision was made on Saturday, following a parliamentary debate on a proposal submitted by the House's Social Affairs Committee. The committee had recommended revoking the directive until lawmakers complete legislation and regulations governing the appointment and management of civil servants.
Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow stated that 132 lawmakers voted in favour of annulling the directive, while two opposed it and two abstained. The vote means the directive is no longer valid, and Parliament's decision will be formally conveyed to the executive branch. Abshirow also mentioned that the executive branch acted prematurely on this matter and that regulations governing civil servants should be finalized before new measures are taken on department director appointments.
The Social Affairs Committee, in collaboration with government legal experts and specialists, worked on this matter, and the House of the People debated the directive issued by the Prime Minister's Office. Abshirow emphasized that the issue also requires aligning civil service regulations with Somalia's new constitution and other government laws. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen state institutions and reform the civil service.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre had directed federal ministries and government agencies to launch an open competitive process for filling department director posts, saying appointments should be based on qualifications, experience, competence, and merit. He stated that the government had taken steps over the past four years to strengthen state institutions and reform the civil service, including approving laws, policies, and regulations to guide public administration and personnel management.
Hamza Abdi Barre also mentioned that passing laws and policies alone was not enough to achieve institutional reform and that reforms must be implemented through practical action. The Prime Minister's directive was aimed at ensuring that appointments are made based on merit, rather than other factors. However, the parliamentary decision has put this directive on hold.
The annulment of the directive has significant implications for the appointment of department directors in Somalia's federal ministries and government agencies. The decision highlights the ongoing debate about the best approach to reforming the civil service and strengthening state institutions. The parliamentary decision also underscores the importance of aligning civil service regulations with Somalia's new constitution and other government laws.
The issue is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming weeks and months, as lawmakers and government officials work to finalize legislation and regulations governing the appointment and management of civil servants. The outcome will have a significant impact on the future of Somalia's civil service and the appointment of department directors.
Key points
- The Somali parliament has annulled a directive requiring an open competitive process for appointing department directors.
- The decision was made to allow for the completion of legislation and regulations governing the appointment and management of civil servants.
- The issue highlights the ongoing debate about the best approach to reforming the civil service and strengthening state institutions in Somalia.
