Somalia’s constitutional deadlock escalates into full-blown crisis

Somalia’s prolonged constitutional deadlock, which has lasted for more than two years, has now escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis. Over this period, the current administration led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been attempting to amend the provisional constitution. However, these efforts have faced major push back. Two major Federal Member States have rejected the constitutional review process, describing it as “unilateral and lacking broad-based consultation.” They argue that any constitutional amendments must be “inclusive, consensus-driven, and agreed upon by all key stakeholders,” including the Federal Member States and opposition groups.

Despite this opposition, the Federal Government has largely proceeded with the proposed changes, even in the absence of support from these regional administrations and prominent opposition figures. This has created major rift between Mogadishu and these two major federal member states. With the latest developments, the constitutional amendments now appear to have evolved into an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

On Tuesday, federal lawmakers representing Jubbaland state issued a strong rejection of the introduction of a “new constitution,” accusing President Mohamud and the Speaker of Parliament of “violating constitutional procedures.”

The MPs, who traveled to Kismayo for consultations with Jubbaland president, argued that the process bypassed constitutional requirements, lacked proper consultation with the federal member state, and effectively amounted to drafting an entirely new charter — something they say exceeds parliament’s legal mandate.

They stressed that Somalia’s 2012 Provisional Constitution remains the only legally binding framework unless amended through agreed and lawful procedures. “Protecting the Provisional Constitution, preserving the federal system, maintaining national unity, and defending the public interest are constitutional obligations from which we will not retreat,” the lawmakers said in a statement. The statement from Jubbaland lawmakers follows a similar rejection from MPs representing Puntland.

Statements from Jubbaland and Puntland are part of a series of escalating incidents in recent weeks. On Sunday, Puntland MPs were left stranded in Mogadishu when a flight to Garowe was allegedly ordered to turn back mid-air by federal authorities. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni had invited federal MPs representing Puntland to a consultative meeting in Garowe. However, the plan was disrupted when their aircraft was reportedly recalled shortly before landing.

According to the MPs, the plane carried more than 220 passengers, including elderly people, children, and sick travelers. They argued that the decision “endangered lives and violated both Somali and international aviation regulations,” including those of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association. In a separate incident, lawmakers said they were prevented from boarding another flight at Mogadishu’s airport and were informed, without explanation, that they could not travel to Puntland. “We have no safety here in the capital of Somalia; we are held as hostages,” the MPs said in a statement.

President Deni condemned the incident as “unconstitutional and harmful to Somali citizens’ dignity,” warning that such actions erode public trust in governance. Puntland authorities went further by revoking Daallo Airlines’ license, accusing the carrier of endangering passengers and violating aviation rules. The Puntland administration has since escalated its rhetoric, accusing President Mohamud of authoritarianism and of violating parliamentary immunity.

In a separate statement released Monday, the stranded MPs alleged that President Mohamud has “acted unlawfully” since his re-election in May 2022.” They claim his actions are aimed at extending his mandate beyond its scheduled end date of May 15, 2026. The lawmakers further alleged that more than 50 parliamentarians were suspended in December 2025 after opposing what they described as unilateral constitutional changes proposed by the president.

They appealed directly to the Somali public and to members of the international community — including the United States Embassy, the United Nations office in Somalia, the United Kingdom Embassy, and the European Union representative — to help facilitate their safe and peaceful travel to Puntland.

Despite these series of unprecedented political developments in recent weeks, Somalia’s parliament is now set to finalize the constitution and vote on the proposed amendments today. President Mohamud appears determined to move forward despite the significant political crisis this process has already created within the country. The rejection by both Jubbaland and Puntland also signals a serious breakdown in political consensus between Mogadishu and two key federal member states. Both regional administrations, aligned with opposition blocs, remain united in their opposition to the proposed amendments and to the broader constitutional review process.

This has now created an extraordinary constitutional vacuum at a time when national elections are approaching. While the federal government technically retains its mandate, the lack of agreement with major federal member states raises serious questions about the direction of the country’s electoral process. No consensus has yet been reached, and the mandate of the current administration is set to expire in less than three months.

The finalization of the constitution places Somalia at a critical juncture. The country is already grappling with multiple, overlapping crises: the fight against Al-Shabaab, a severe drought that has left tens of thousands of Somalis at risk of acute food insecurity, and growing reluctance among traditional international donors to sustain financial support. At this sensitive moment, moving forward without broad political consensus risks pushing the country to the brink of an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis. Despite this uncertainty, the current administration appears determined to advance its constitutional reform agenda, even as Somalia’s federal system remains in limbo.