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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially signed the country’s revised federal constitution into law on Sunday, marking the end of a long and often controversial review process. The new constitution replaces the provisional charter that had been in place since 2012 and introduces several changes, including extending the term of federal institutions from four years to five years.
The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu and came just days after the revised constitution was approved by both chambers of Somalia’s Federal Parliament during a joint session. The event was attended by senior government leaders, including Speaker of the House of the People Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur, also known as Madoobe, and Upper House Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi. Members of the committees responsible for reviewing the constitution were also present.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Mohamud described the moment as the conclusion of a long journey that had taken years of discussions, negotiations, and revisions. He noted that the constitution had remained provisional since it was first adopted in 2012 at the end of Somalia’s transitional government period. According to the president, the country can now begin implementing the revised constitution after years of work to finalize it.
One of the most notable changes introduced by the revised constitution is the extension of the mandate for federal institutions. Under the previous provisional charter, the presidency and parliament served four-year terms. The new framework increases those terms to five years, meaning that federal institutions will now operate under a longer political cycle.
Following the parliamentary approval of the revised constitution, Speaker Madoobe confirmed that the five-year term framework would immediately apply to federal institutions. This effectively adds an additional year to the current mandate of the government, aligning it with the new constitutional timeline.
Government officials have welcomed the changes, describing the revised constitution as a key step forward in Somalia’s state-building efforts. They argue that the updated document helps clarify the roles and responsibilities of different branches of government while strengthening the country’s political and institutional systems. Officials also say the review process was necessary to finalize provisions that had remained incomplete since the constitution was first introduced more than a decade ago.
According to government representatives, the revised constitution now addresses all 13 chapters of the document, completing a process that had been delayed for years due to political disagreements and competing priorities. Supporters of the changes believe the finalized constitution will provide clearer guidelines for governance and help stabilize Somalia’s federal system.
However, the move has also sparked strong criticism from opposition leaders and some regional administrations. Critics argue that the constitutional amendments were rushed and lacked broad political agreement. They accuse the federal government of using the review process to extend its time in power by adding an extra year to the current political term.
Several lawmakers aligned with the Somali Future Council, an opposition coalition that includes political leaders from Puntland and Jubbaland, boycotted the parliamentary session where the constitution was approved. Their absence highlighted the ongoing political divisions surrounding the review process.
Opposition figures have also raised concerns that key stakeholders were not fully included in the discussions leading up to the constitutional vote. They argue that a national consensus should have been reached before making such major changes to the country’s governing framework.
The debate over the constitution comes at a politically sensitive time for Somalia. Discussions are already underway about the future electoral system and how the country will organize upcoming elections. Questions also remain about how power should be shared between the federal government and regional states.
Despite the criticism, the federal government maintains that finalizing the constitution is an important step toward strengthening Somalia’s political institutions and advancing its democratic development. Supporters say the new framework provides a clearer structure for governance and helps move the country closer to a more stable and fully functioning federal system.
The revised constitution now becomes the official legal framework guiding Somalia’s federal institutions as the country continues to navigate complex political and governance challenges.