President Mohamud Gains One-Month Extension to Expedite Election Legislation Before the 2026 Elections
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to Parliament, highlighting the pressing need to implement essential election laws as Somalia gears up for its forthcoming elections. His comments coincide with lawmakers voting to extend their legislative session. CREDIT/ SONNA
Mogadishu (AX) — This month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud successfully persuaded Somalia’s parliament to remain in session, thus postponing their planned recess to address vital legislative issues, particularly those related to the upcoming elections. A resounding 181 MPs backed this decision, while 12 voiced their opposition, solidifying the move for continued legislative efforts.
Initially set to kick off their break on November 6, lawmakers will now continue their work until early December, forging ahead with important matters.
During a joint session held on Saturday, President Mohamud implored for immediate legislative action, articulating, “A law born outside this chamber cannot effectively guide the Somali populace. If we let this chance slip away, we risk plunging back into chaos and conflict. Therefore, it’s crucial to delay your hiatus this month and concentrate on these urgent issues.”
Furthermore, the President detailed specific responsibilities for the legislators. They will prioritize essential electoral laws to ensure the elections are both free and fair. The MPs are also responsible for finalizing plans that received cabinet backing, awaiting parliament’s green light. They are additionally set to ratify a communiqué resulting from a national consultative conference that engaged various regional administrations, despite the absence of Northeastern State and Jubaland.
Recently, the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreement endorsed by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the mayor of Mogadishu, and three regional leaders outlined an electoral pathway. This plan stipulates local, regional, and municipal elections for June 2025, alongside parliamentary and presidential elections targeted for September 2025. The NCC also advocated for the establishment of a National Independent Electoral Commission to supervise the electoral proceedings.
Even with strides made in electoral reforms, including initiatives aiming for universal suffrage, some opposition factions have raised eyebrows regarding the NCC timeline. Northeastern State’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland’s President Ahmed Madobe have both voiced their apprehensions about the practicality of this election timeline.
MP Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene stood firmly behind the President’s plea, underscoring the necessity of passing critical laws before the session wraps up in the first week of November. “The president has appealed for an additional month to get these necessary laws on the books,” he remarked.
Beenebeene further emphasized the imperative of conducting transparent elections, asserting, “The constitution guarantees every Somali citizen the right to vote.”
In contrast, MP Dahir Amin Jeesow expressed skepticism about the legal ramifications of the President’s request, arguing that the constitution does not permit an extension of the parliamentary break by an additional month. “Article 66 of the constitution clearly states that parliament operates in two sessions each year, with one lasting four months and followed by a two-month recess,” Jeesow elaborated.
He criticized the underlying reasoning for the request, claiming it undermines established legislative protocols. “The recess is designed for the president to propose election laws. The internal guidelines dictate that proposed legislation must be introduced within the first two months of each session. Should that window close, no new bills can be presented,” he noted.
Jeersow cautioned that even if the president’s appeal were to be granted, it would not necessarily aid in advancing any existing legislation.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
