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The Somali parliament has approved several constitutional amendments that may allow for an extension of the president’s term and the postponement of upcoming elections.
While the vote concluded on Wednesday, analysts are still working to determine the full impact of these changes on the country’s political landscape.
Somalia has struggled with instability and a lack of a strong central authority since 1991, and while peacekeeping forces have made progress, the al-Shabaab militant group remains a significant threat.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the legislative support, noting that the amendment process had been delayed for an extended period.
However, opposition lawmakers have voiced criticism, and experts note that the implications for the president’s current tenure remain a matter of interpretation.
To avoid international backlash, the president has currently refrained from explicitly claiming a term extension.
Regardless of the constitutional outcome, the elections originally scheduled for May are expected to be delayed.
This is largely due to the absence of a finalised and agreed-upon framework for the voting process.
