Opposition lawmakers quit Somalia’s constitution review process

Opposition members from both houses of Somalia’s federal parliament have publicly distanced themselves from the government-led constitutional review process, warning that attempts to push through amendments without broad consensus risk undermining political stability and the country’s electoral transition.

In a statement addressed to international partners, the lawmakers accused the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of pursuing constitutional changes in a “one-sided” manner, arguing that the process lacks inclusive consultation with federal member states and key political stakeholders.

The statement said several members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Review, including its deputy chair, had withdrawn from the process. Those who resigned cited their exclusion from substantive decision-making and the absence of meaningful consultations with the federal states they represent.

“These withdrawals signal a breakdown of legitimacy from within the very institutions tasked with safeguarding the constitution,” the lawmakers said. They urged international partners to approach the situation with caution, warning that silence or procedural endorsement could be interpreted as acquiescence to a process that risks further destabilising the country.

“What Somalia requires at this juncture is principled engagement that reinforces constitutional legitimacy, political inclusion, and restraint,” the statement added.

Somalia’s constitutional dispute has become one of the most pressing political challenges ahead of the 2026 elections. At the heart of the crisis is the federal government’s push to amend the provisional constitution “without broad consensus.” Several federal member states — most notably Puntland and Jubbaland — as well as opposition leaders, including former presidents and former prime ministers who are now presidential hopefuls, view the move as an attempt to centralise power in Mogadishu.

This perception has triggered strong resistance from Puntland and Jubbaland, both of which have taken steps to assert greater autonomy. The standoff has raised fears that Somalia could face deeper political fragmentation if the crisis is not resolved before the 2026 elections.

President Mohamud has sought to ease tensions by making concessions to opposition leaders. He struck a deal with opposition figures in which he backtracked on several proposed constitutional amendments, including provisions related to direct elections and an article that would have granted the president expanded powers to appoint and dismiss the prime minister. Mohamud has also publicly guaranteed that elections will take place on schedule in April 2026.

These concessions were widely seen as a tactical effort to prevent the formation of a unified opposition bloc that could politically isolate Mogadishu and to restore some confidence in the federal political process.

In December 2025, opposition leaders convened in Kismayo for talks that culminated in what became known as the Kismayo Declaration. The meeting brought together Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, Jubbaland leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe,” former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, lawmakers, and civil society representatives. Their communiqué called for an immediate halt to constitutional amendments without consensus, the establishment of a national dialogue council, strict adherence to the April 2026 election deadline, and stronger safeguards for the federal balance of power.

In response, the federal government announced plans to hold a national dialogue in February 2026. The dialogue is intended to bring together key stakeholders to address constitutional reforms and the election timeline. International partners, including the European Union, have expressed support for the initiative, urging Somali leaders to seize the opportunity to reach consensus and avert further instability.

However, the latest crisis within the Constitutional Review Committee, triggered by the resignation of its deputy chair over what he described as a “lack of consensus,” comes just ahead of the planned talks. The opposition bloc, alongside leaders from Puntland and Jubbaland, is insisting on the reversal of constitutional amendments already adopted by the current administration.

The renewed push to finalise amendments risks derailing the planned dialogue at a critical moment, with the current leadership’s mandate set to expire in a matter of months. It also raises the prospect of a renewed electoral crisis, as prolonged deadlock persists over the election model and the timeline for the vote remains uncertain.