Somalia: Lawmakers oppose president's constitutional proposals

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Dozens of lawmakers in Somalia have opposed proposed amendments to the country's constitution, and the National Consultative Council (NCC) coming up with a raft of changes that they are pushing to have incorporated into the constitution.

The 72 lawmakers said the changes were 'unwelcome' noting that the proposals are equivalent to creating a new constitution rather than amending the existing ones since they interfere with the structure of the constitution.

The NCC proposed that the country change from the current parliamentary model to a presidential model, which would see the scrapping of the premiership. Currently, the Prime Minister is the head of government and the president is the head of state.

In addition, the model proposes that the presidential candidates will have running mates and all shall participate in universal suffrage polls. Somalia currently uses the old model where elders decide who becomes a legislator. The MPs later elect the president.

Abdisalan Dhaban'ad and Senator Mohamed Yusuf Gagaab, the two senior figures in their respective houses, emphasized that they would not support President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in this constitutional process, adding that there is a need for more consultations.

"Mr. President, we acknowledge the hard work you have been putting into serving our country day and night, but we cannot support your proposal to amend the constitution," said MP Abdisalan Dhabancad.

Former Presidents Sharif Sheikh and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed alias Farmajo have opposed the changes, calling for wider consultations. There have been calls for constitutional changes in the country for the last decade.

This comes as Puntland Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdi Farah Saeed Juha, reported that the bank accounts of organizations running projects in the region are empty. The federal government has been under pressure to share resources with states in the spirit of constitutionalism.

"Amid a political struggle, vital resources such as money, medicine, and food were invested—essentials that we are unjustly deprived of. The halt in project activities is partly due to our ongoing conflict with the federal government," Minister Juha stated.

Constitutional changes in the country have split politicians, with some calling for a more participatory approach. Somalia has been undergoing stabilization for the last 30 decades but there are signs of stabilization given state-building efforts.

GAROWE ONLINE