Somalia's parliament approved an amended constitution on March 4, ending nearly 12 years of provisional governance since 2012, amid strong opposition from some federal states. The new document shifts the system from parliamentary to presidential, introduces direct parliamentary elections, but has raised fears of a potential constitutional crisis. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed it into law on Sunday, announcing immediate implementation.
On March 4, Somalia's parliament held a joint session of both chambers and voted to approve an amended constitutional text, declaring it adopted and immediately effective. House Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe announced that 223 lawmakers voted in favor with no recorded opposition, according to state media. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed the bill into law on Sunday, stating that the government "will now begin the effective implementation of the new Constitution".
The amendments include a shift to a presidential system, curtailing powers of regional presidents, and direct election of parliament members through universal suffrage instead of indirect clan-based voting. Presidential and parliamentary terms are extended from four to five years. Prime Minister Hamza Barre posted on X that "the Somali state henceforth stands upon a firm and enduring legal foundation rather than a provisional constitutional arrangement".
However, the federal states of Puntland and Jubaland rejected the new constitution outright, as did the Somali Future Council, a coalition including former presidents and prime ministers. Over 60 MPs and senators from Puntland and Jubaland boycotted the session. Two ministers resigned on the eve of the vote: State Minister for Petroleum Ismail Buraale called it "not properly finalized," and State Minister for Labor Caynaanshe Yusuf Hussein said she could not be part of anything harming Puntland.
In the preceding week, a plane carrying more than 30 Puntland MPs was ordered back to Mogadishu en route to Garowe, prompting accusations of political interference. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni described the act as "irresponsible and unlawful". Opposition figures highlighted that the changes were made at the end of the term, raising concerns over mandate extensions, as Puntland Senator Sareedo Hassan Jeyte noted: "The president promised us that the work on the constitution doesn’t apply to this term".
Conversely, MP Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu defended the amendments, stating the 2012 provisional constitution was always temporary and must be replaced, adding that "parliament works by majorities". Researchers like Afyare Elmi warned that the move could complicate state-building, arguing it overlooks broader political stability.
