Mogadishu (HOL) Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday hosted an iftar dinner for members of both houses of parliament, acknowledging their approval of the country’s revised constitution following months of intensive deliberation.
The gathering, held at a Mogadishu hotel, occurred a day after Somalia’s bicameral legislature voted to adopt amendments completing the constitutional review process that commenced more than ten years ago.
President Mohamud commended lawmakers for what he characterized as patience and collaboration in achieving what he called a “historic achievement” for the nation’s state-building and democratic development.
“The finalized constitution will establish the groundwork for constructing state institutions, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and establishing a system based on the rule of law and accountability,” he informed attendees, according to a statement from Villa Somalia.
He also recognized Somali legal experts and technical committees who contributed to the revisions, noting that the process was guided by national interests without dependence on foreign mediation.
The president called on parliamentarians and government bodies to preserve unity and cooperation in implementing the new constitutional framework.
The revised provisions were approved Wednesday during a joint session of the House of the People and the Upper House, officially replacing the provisional constitution established in 2012 at the conclusion of Somalia’s transitional period.
Government officials have presented the amendments as a long-delayed measure toward clarifying the federal system and strengthening governance structures.
However, the process has exacerbated political divisions. The Somali Future Council, an opposition coalition encompassing leaders from Puntland and Jubbaland, boycotted the vote and accused the administration of implementing changes without broad national consensus.
Critics contend the amendments could shift the power balance within the federal system and have expressed concerns about their consequences for forthcoming elections.
Samira Gaid, an analyst at the Mogadishu-based Balqiis think tank, stated that the comprehensive implications of the modifications remain unclear.
“The constitutional alteration does not automatically extend the current president’s term, but it is subject to interpretation,” she remarked. “At present, the president is exercising caution regarding extending his term due to potential criticism from the international community.”
Gaid further noted that elections scheduled for May will likely be postponed regardless, as political actors have yet to reach an agreement on a transparent framework.