Africa

Somalia President signs amended constitution chapters into law

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signs into law the four amended chapters of the constitution, following their approval by both houses of Parliament, at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu on March 31, 2024. (Photo: Villa Somalia)

By Hassan Mohamed | Sunday, March 31, 2024

Criticism continues, with one MP saying the move shows the whole process is shrouded in mystery.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signed into law the first four chapters of the constitution, following amendments unanimously passed by parliamentarians on Saturday.

They touch on freedom of expression, women's representation, the leadership style, the number of political parties and the electoral commission.

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In a short statement shared with the media, President Mohamud’s office said the top leadership of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, led by Speaker Sheikh Adam Mohamed Nur 'Madobe', as well as the Senate leadership, attended the signing ceremony at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu on Sunday.

“The President pointed out that the conclusion of the constitution is a basic pillar to advancing democracy, improving equality amongst all Somali citizens and strengthening and building efficient federal institutions,” the statement read.

Criticism continued, with Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, a member of Parliament and a critic of the amended constitution, casting doubts on the exact amendments the President signed.

He claimed no MP was informed and added that the move shows the whole process is shrouded in mystery.

“Up to now, no one has seen the final copy of the four chapters, and it is not known what the President signed tonight, like a passed law," he wrote on X.

"This is the third time Parliament has passed a document it hasn’t seen. Let’s see where such a constitution, which the President is guarding so closely as if saying 'this is mine' ends."

Analysts warn the latest move by the President is likely to alienate Puntland State, which has come out as the strongest stakeholder to openly oppose the constitutional amendments, vowing to neither recognise nor abide by them.

Political analyst Mohamed Hussein said the move is likely to erode the credibility of the constitution, which ideally should have unified the country.

“This will only escalate the political stalemate and erode the credibility and trustworthiness of the government institutions, further polarising the country and alienating concerned stakeholders. This opens a pandora box,” he said.

The international community issued a statement urging the government and the opposition to find a common ground for the constitution to be completed.

“We acknowledge the firm intention of the Federal Government of Somalia to make progress on finalising the constitution and urge all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to build consensus through an inclusive process,” they said in a statement.

It was signed by parties including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States (LAS), the European Union, and the United Nations (UN).

Others were Kenya, Belgium, Denmark, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Norway, Sudan, Sweden, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.