Somalia’s Parliament Passes Constitutional Amendments in Historic Vote
Somalia’s Federal Parliament has achieved a historic milestone by approving amendments to the country’s provisional Constitution following intense deliberations. Spearheaded by the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission, these amendments garnered robust support in both the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament. Notable changes include the reconfiguration of powers between the President and Prime Minister, the establishment of a five-year term limit for governmental bodies, the revision of regional state leadership titles, and the formal recognition of three political parties within Somalia’s political landscape.
However, opposition from former Somali Presidents and leaders from Puntland State highlights lingering concerns regarding consensus among political stakeholders. Despite this, the passage of amendments underscores significant progress in Somalia’s governance framework, building upon proactive efforts to address critical issues such as the age of majority and the criminalization of female genital mutilation. This achievement reflects a concerted push towards finalizing the review of Somalia’s 2012 provisional constitution and signifies a significant stride towards a more inclusive and resilient democratic
