Somali Parliament Approves Constitutional Term Extension

Somalia’s parliament has approved a constitutional amendment extending the terms of lawmakers and the president while delaying national elections by a year, a move the government calls a historic milestone.

The joint session of Somalia’s parliament and senate approved the constitutional changes by a large majority. A total of 222 lawmakers out of 329 voted by acclamation to extend the term of office for the president and parliament from four years to five years.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the decision as a historic milestone in the country’s long constitutional process. “Today is a historic day, marked by the completion of Somalia’s National Constitution & the formal conclusion of the long-standing Provisional Constitution,” he said.

He added that the moment represents “a national milestone that has long been awaited” and said the reform fulfilled a long-standing political commitment.

Government officials framed the vote as the culmination of a constitutional process that has stretched over more than a decade.

Somalia’s Minister of Information Daud Aweis said the parliamentary decision marked a major institutional step.

“Somalia reaches a major political milestone as the Federal Parliament votes overwhelmingly in a joint session to approve the revised and amended constitution, ending a 13-year process,” he said.

The constitutional revision formally concludes the long-running provisional framework that guided Somalia’s federal system during years of political transition. Officials say the change establishes a clearer political structure ahead of future elections and institutional reforms.

The amendment comes after political negotiations between President Mohamud and opposition figures over how Somalia should conduct upcoming elections. Under an agreement reached in August, lawmakers were expected to be directly elected in 2026, while the president would continue to be chosen by parliament rather than through a direct national vote.

Somalia had already taken a step toward broader electoral participation when a 2024 law restored universal suffrage, laying the groundwork for future direct elections.

The constitutional change therefore reshapes the political timetable while maintaining the parliamentary election of the president in the near term.

Despite the government’s framing of the reform as a milestone, several opposition leaders rejected the constitutional amendment.

Former presidents and former prime ministers criticized the decision and called for elections to proceed in May as originally planned.

The dispute reflects broader political tensions in Somalia, where competing factions continue to debate how quickly the country should transition toward fully democratic elections.