Somalia has approved a new constitution that will allow citizens to directly elect members of parliament for the first time, marking a major shift from the country’s long-standing clan-based political system. The amendments were passed by the federal parliament on Wednesday, a move described as an “historic victory” by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. For decades, Somalia’s political structure relied on clan elders and regional leaders to select lawmakers, who would then elect the president. “This becomes the first official constitution Somalia has had since the civil war,” said MP Mohamed Hassan Bulale after the vote.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has championed the constitutional reform as part of broader efforts to strengthen democratic governance and move the country toward universal suffrage after years of indirect elections. However, the parliamentary vote was boycotted by several opposition groups who accuse the government of pushing through the changes without broad political consensus. Critics also raised concerns after the amendments effectively extended President Mohamud’s mandate by one year, suggesting that planned elections may be delayed. The president had previously indicated that national elections could take place as early as June, but the extension signals the vote may not happen for at least another 12 months while preparations continue.
Somalia faces significant obstacles to implementing nationwide elections. The country continues to battle the insurgent group Al-Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda and controls or influences parts of rural southern and central Somalia. Security risks, weak infrastructure and limited electoral institutions also pose logistical challenges to organizing a nationwide ballot across the fragile state. Political divisions further complicate the process. Regional administrations in Puntland and Jubaland have strongly opposed what they view as attempts by the federal government to centralize power.
Meanwhile, the self-declared republic of Somaliland has operated independently since 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government. The territory maintains its own institutions and electoral system and was formally recognized as an independent state by Israel in December. Despite the political tensions, the government says the constitutional reform is a critical step toward building stable democratic institutions and moving Somalia away from a system dominated by clan negotiations toward one based on direct public participation.
