The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, today officially signed the new Federal Constitution of Somalia, a cornerstone for the country’s governance and legal framework, following its approval by both chambers of the Federal Parliament. Addressing the media at the signing ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, President Hassan Sheikh emphasized that the government will now begin implementing the new Constitution, which will serve as a foundation for strengthening government institutions, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and advancing the country’s democratic system.
“Today marks the conclusion of the long journey of reviewing Somalia’s Federal Constitution, which had been provisional for some time and recently ratified by the Federal Parliament. With God’s guidance, its implementation begins today,” the President said. The signing ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur, the Speaker of the Upper House, Senator Cabdi Xaashi Cabdullaahi, and the chairpersons of the Constitutional Review Committees.
Somalia’s parliament has backed constitutional changes that could extend the president’s term in office by a year and push back planned elections. The vote happened on Wednesday, and on Thursday analysts who follow the Horn of Africa country closely were still debating exactly what the implications are.
Somalia has endured conflict and clan battles with no strong central government since the fall of autocratic ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
While an African Union peacekeeping mission has pushed back the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group, it still controls vast areas of the countryside and has the ability to conduct regular strikes on major population centres.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated parliament’s backing of the constitutional changes at a press conference on Wednesday, saying the approval process “had dragged for a long period”. Samira Gaid, an analyst with Balqiis, a Mogadishu-based think tank, said the implications of the constitutional amendments, which have been criticised by opposition lawmakers, remained unclear.
“The constitutional change doesn’t automatically extend the current president’s term but it is a matter of interpretation. For now, the president is being very careful not to say that he is extending his term because of potential criticism from the international community,” she said. Gaid said the elections slated for May would be delayed regardless because there is no agreed framework currently.
https://x.com/HassanSMohamud/status/2030703222441046359
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