By: Hassan Yarrow
MOGADISHU—Somalia’s parliament voted on Saturday to amend its constitution, granting the president the authority to appoint a prime minister.
The decision, which followed weeks of heated debates and discussions, marks a milestone in Somalia’s constitutional reform process.
During a joint session in the capital city of Mogadishu, the bicameral federal parliament meticulously reviewed and voted on amendments to the first four chapters of the provisional constitution.
The lawmakers voted on each chapter individually before casting their votes on the overall amendments.
Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, the Speaker of the Lower House, announced the outcome, stating that a significant majority of members supported the constitutional amendments. With a unanimous vote, a total of 212 members of the Lower House and 42 members of the Upper House approved the amendments, with no abstentions or rejections.
Hussein Idow, the Parliamentry Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee, highlighted that three provisions relating to religion in the draft would undergo further review to ensure alignment with the principles and values of the Somali people.
The amendment that garnered attention establishes the presence of both a president and a prime minister in Somalia. Under the new provision, the president will possess the authority to appoint and remove the prime minister, replacing the previous requirement for a parliamentary vote of confidence.
This change introduces more flexibility to the executive branch.
Additionally, the amended constitution sets the term of office for government constitutional bodies at five years and refers to regional state presidents as leaders.
It also promotes a multi-party system by recognizing the presence of three political parties in the country.
However, the amendments faced opposition from some political stakeholders, including former Somali Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, as well as Puntland state leaders.
Their concerns revolved around the lack of consensus among political actors regarding the proposed changes.
Human Rights Watch expressed concern about certain aspects of the constitutional amendments. While the approved amendments establish the age of maturity at 15 and the age of responsibility at 18, rights groups caution that this may reinforce existing traditional norms and increase the risk of child marriage.
The approved constitutional amendments, which have undergone nearly a decade of review, signify Somalia’s commitment to strengthening its governance framework and addressing the evolving needs of its citizens.
