Mogadishu – Lawmakers in the Federal Parliament of Somalia have approved constitutional amendments that could potentially delay upcoming elections and extend the presidential term by up to one year.
The changes were welcomed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who said the approval ends a long and complex constitutional review process.
However, analysts say the exact implications of the amendments remain unclear. The changes do not automatically extend the current president’s mandate, but their interpretation could affect the election timeline.
Somalia has faced decades of instability since the collapse of the government of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Although forces from the African Union have helped push back the militant group Al-Shabaab, the group still controls large rural areas and continues to carry out attacks.
Political observers also say the elections planned for May are likely to be postponed as there is still no agreed framework for holding the vote.
