Arab League hails Somalia’s revised constitution as ‘historic milestone’ despite opposition backlash
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Arab League on Friday welcomed Somalia’s adoption of a revised federal constitution, calling it a historic step in the country’s state-building and a boost to political stability, even as domestic opponents questioned the process and timing.
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Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the League of Arab States, said the Somali Parliament’s approval of the new charter and its entry into force complete a critical phase in consolidating the Federal Republic of Somalia’s institutional framework. In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Gamal Roshdy, he said the move strengthens a constitutional order rooted in the rule of law, separation of powers and respect for fundamental rights, while affirming national unity across Somalia’s regions.
The endorsement follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s signing of the revised constitution into law on Sunday, concluding a contentious review that replaces the country’s 2012 provisional charter. According to the Arab League, the adoption reflects a comprehensive national effort and sustained determination by Somalia’s institutions and people to reinforce stability, promote good governance and support sustainable development.
One of the most consequential changes sets five-year mandates for federal institutions, including the presidency and parliament; the previous constitution capped terms at four years. Speaker of the House of the People Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nur Madoobe said federal bodies will now operate on the five-year timetable, effectively extending the current term by one year.
Aboul Gheit reaffirmed the Arab League’s commitment to support Somalia’s government and parliament in efforts to bolster security, consolidate democratic institutions and safeguard national cohesion. The organization framed the revised constitution as a platform for strengthening governance and accelerating reform.
The political reception inside Somalia has been divided. Opposition figures argue the amendments were advanced and adopted without sufficient national consensus, warning that the overhaul could upset the political timetable and risk deepening mistrust between Mogadishu and federal member states. Lawmakers aligned with the Somali Future Council — an opposition coalition that includes leaders from Puntland State and Jubbaland — largely boycotted the parliamentary vote.
Backers of the changes say the longer mandates will reduce churn at the federal level, giving institutions more time to implement policies and improve service delivery. Critics counter that process legitimacy matters as much as the text, and say broad-based agreement is essential to anchor any new constitutional order after years of fragile transitions.
With the revised constitution now in force, attention shifts to implementation — from updating electoral and institutional calendars to harmonizing federal and regional authorities under the new framework. The Arab League’s endorsement adds international backing to Mogadishu’s push to formalize its state architecture, but Somali political actors still face the task of translating the document’s commitments on unity, rights and separation of powers into practice.
For a country working to consolidate security gains and unlock economic development, the next phase will test whether the updated charter can build the cross-clan and cross-regional consensus that Somalia’s post-conflict governance has long struggled to sustain.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
