President Hosts Iftar with MPs After Parliament Approves Revised Constitution

Somalia adopts revised constitution; President Mohamud hails ‘historic achievement’ amid opposition boycott

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday hosted an iftar dinner for members of both houses of parliament, praising lawmakers for approving Somalia’s revised constitution after months of heated debate and years of stalled review.

The gathering at a Mogadishu hotel came a day after a joint sitting of the House of the People and the Upper House voted to adopt amendments that complete a constitutional process launched more than a decade ago. The changes formally replace the provisional charter adopted in 2012 at the end of Somalia’s transitional period.

“The completed constitution will serve as the foundation for building state institutions, protecting citizens’ rights and establishing a system based on the rule of law and accountability,” Mohamud told attendees, according to a statement from Villa Somalia. He commended lawmakers for “patience and cooperation” and urged continued unity as the government moves to implement the new framework.

Government officials have framed the package as a long-overdue step to clarify the federal system and strengthen governance structures. Mohamud also praised Somali legal experts and technical committees who worked on the revisions, emphasizing that the process was guided by national interests and not reliant on foreign mediation.

The path to passage, however, has sharpened political divides. The Somali Future Council, an opposition coalition that includes leaders from Puntland State and Jubbaland, boycotted the vote and accused the administration of pushing through changes without broad national consensus. Critics warn the amendments could recalibrate power between federal and regional authorities and carry implications for the timing and conduct of elections.

Samira Gaid, an analyst at the Mogadishu-based Balqiis think tank, said the full impact of the reforms remains uncertain. “The constitutional change does not automatically extend the current president’s term, but it is a matter of interpretation,” she said. “For now, the president is being very careful not to say that he is extending his term because of potential criticism from the international community.”

Gaid added that elections slated for May are likely to be delayed regardless, as political actors have yet to agree on a clear framework.

While the government moves to translate the new text into procedures and laws, opposition leaders are expected to press for inclusive consultations on implementation and to demand clarity on timelines for the next vote. Donors and diplomatic partners are also likely to watch closely for signals that institutions will adhere to rule-of-law benchmarks and avoid steps that might deepen mistrust with federal member states.

• Parliament approved amendments Wednesday in a joint session, replacing the 2012 provisional constitution.
• President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated the move at an iftar dinner Thursday, calling it a “historic achievement.”
• The Somali Future Council and other opposition figures boycotted the vote, citing lack of consensus.
• Analysts say the amendments’ effects on the federal balance of power and election timelines remain unclear.

For now, Mohamud’s administration is seeking to turn legislative momentum into institutional change, urging lawmakers, ministries and regional partners to maintain cooperation. Whether that call is answered — and how quickly Somalia can convert a revised constitutional text into agreed rules for power sharing and elections — will shape the next phase of the country’s state-building effort.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.