19 of the 22 cabinet ministers nominated by President Mohamed Muizzu received confirmation at an extraordinary sitting of parliament on Monday. The legislative body, however, rejected the nominations of Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed.
The session commenced amidst the sound of trumpets and disruptive shouting from pro-government lawmakers who gathered in front of Speaker Mohamed Aslam’s desk. In a countermove, opposition members formed a protective circle around the speaker’s desk. The session, which commenced around 1 p.m., faced a brief suspension due to an administrative issue.
The vote on the cabinet nominations followed unsuccessful attempts to conduct proceedings on Sunday. The session was marred by disruptions from pro-government members, escalating into heated verbal exchanges and physical altercations between lawmakers. Some lawmakers reportedly sustained injuries in the ensuing melee.
Monday’s sitting was conducted under heightened security around the parliament, with surrounding areas closed to the public. These measures were implemented following demonstrations by government ministers, state ministers, deputies, and their supporters outside the parliament house, where some protesters hurled projectiles into the parliament compound.