Somalia's Constitutional Crisis: President's Reforms Ignite Political Firestorm

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The storms continue to wreck Somalia’s fragile democracy following conflicting stands on proposed constitutional changes, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the proponent of the overhaul, maintaining his hard stance on the reforms, which have been criticised by his critics.

Hassan Sheikh wants Somalia to embrace universal suffrage elections, replacing the traditional model where elders have a big say in the country's politics. The indirect model has been in use for three decades after Somalia plunged into chaos.

On Friday, amid a heated constitutional debate, President Hassan Sheikh declared that no individual or entity will have "veto power" in the nation's future governance structure. The new structure would have the president as the head of state and government.

Presently, as much as the president appoints the premier subject to parliamentary approval, the Prime Minister is in charge of government. Once the new proposal is implemented, the president shall have a running mate as Somalia abolishes the parliamentary system.

The statement comes as part of a broader discourse surrounding recent constitutional amendments, which have been contentious among political factions. States such as Puntland and Jubaland have raised a red flag, projecting that the changes shall trigger term extensions.

The controversial amendments, which include transitioning to a system where the president can appoint and dismiss the prime minister without parliamentary approval or have a vice president, have been criticized by opposition figures who argue these changes could centralize power too much in the presidency, potentially undermining checks and balances.

President Hassan Sheikh's assertion of veto power appears to be a direct response to criticisms and the actions taken by FMS like Puntland, which has expressed its autonomy and even declared itself independent in the wake of these constitutional changes.

The opposition's rejection of the president's moves has been framed as an attempt to consolidate power and perhaps extend his term, stirring fears of authoritarianism. Hassan Sheikh was one of the former opposition leaders who frequently accused regimes of mutilating the constitution.

At the moment, the country does not have an elections team that can prepare for voter registration, further exposing the changes to genuine doubts. Hassan Sheikh is due to defend his seat in the 2026 General elections.

GAROWE ONLINE