MOGADISHU — Divisions have emerged within Somalia’s political leadership over proposed amendments to the country’s interim constitution, with lawmakers from several federal member states opposing changes backed by the presidency.
Members of the parliamentary constitutional committee representing Jubaland, Somaliland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Southwest states said on Tuesday that the proposed amendments, promoted by Villa Somalia, run counter to the interests of the regions they represent.
Speaking at a press conference, the lawmakers said the changes risk undermining the federal system and were being pursued without sufficient consultation with regional authorities.
At the same time, disagreement was evident within parliament’s standing committee, which held an extraordinary meeting in Mogadishu. Members were split over whether lawmakers should begin deliberations on completing the constitution or continue with the parliament’s seventh session.
Political pressure on the federal government increased after the Somali Future Council — a grouping that includes Puntland, Jubaland and the Salvation Forum — called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to halt the constitutional amendment process altogether.
Members of both houses of the Somali Federal Parliament convened in Mogadishu to debate the constitutional amendment process, according to parliamentary officials.
However, lawmakers opposed to the proposed changes said the discussions were ill-timed, arguing that the mandates of both the upper and lower houses of parliament had already expired. They said proceeding with constitutional amendments under the current circumstances could undermine the legitimacy of the process.
Somalia has been operating under an interim constitution since 2012. Efforts to finalize the document have repeatedly stalled amid political disputes between the central government and federal member states, as well as ongoing security challenges.
