In a move described by the government as a definitive milestone for national stability, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has formally signed into law a new version of the country’s constitution. The ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace on Sunday evening, concludes more than a decade of governance under a provisional framework, yet it has immediately reignited fierce political debate across the Horn of Africa.
The revised document, ratified by both chambers of the Federal Parliament earlier this month, seeks to institutionalise a more robust governance structure. Under the new provisions, the presidential term has been extended from four to five years, and the executive’s authority has been significantly consolidated, granting the president the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister—a role previously requiring a parliamentary vote of confidence.
Addressing the nation during the signing ceremony, President Mohamud heralded the end of the “long journey” of constitutional review that began in 2012. “Today, the extensive process of revising Somalia’s Federal Constitution, which has been provisional for far too long, has come to an end,” the President stated. “God willing, from today onwards, its implementation will begin.”
Government proponents argue that the transition to a permanent charter is essential for building durable state institutions, protecting citizens’ rights, and effectively coordinating national security efforts against the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
However, the reforms have been met with a wall of opposition from critics and regional leaders. Opponents claim the amendments are a “political gamble” designed to concentrate power within the presidency and potentially prolong the current administration’s tenure. Although President Mohamud’s current mandate is scheduled to conclude on 15 May 2026, opposition figures allege that the new framework could be used to delay the electoral process.
The most significant blow to the government’s push for national consensus has come from the semi-autonomous states of Puntland and Jubbaland. Both regional administrations have officially rejected the new document, declaring that they will continue to recognize only the 2012 provisional constitution. Leaders in these regions contend that the amendments were pushed through “unilaterally” without sufficient consultation, threatening the very foundations of Somalia’s federal system.
Political analysts warn that without a broad political bargain, the new constitutional framework may remain a “paper reality” limited to Mogadishu. The standoff highlights the enduring tensions between the federal centre and its peripheries over the distribution of power and resources—a conflict that has defined Somali politics since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
As Somalia prepares for its next political cycle, the success of these reforms will likely hinge on whether the administration can bridge the deepening rift with regional governments and opposition blocs ahead of the 2026 elections.
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