Somali Parliament Speaker Lets the Cat Out of the Bag: Self-Extension Disguised as Constitutional Reform
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Speaker of the Somali Parliament @AadanMadobe has presided over a process that now claims a “new constitution” has been created for Somalia. From the Speaker’s own speech (attached), it has become clear that the central objective is a one-year extension of the terms of parliament and the president. As the Speaker himself put it: “This parliament will be around for what the new constitution mandates (five years) and not what the old constitution stated (four years) — and so will the other state organs,” referring to the presidency.
Only 39 days remain of this parliament’s mandate, which expires on 14 April 2026, while the President’s term ends a month later, on 15 May 2026. In past cycles, by this stage successor MPs who would elect the next president were already in place.
Today there is no agreement on the electoral process, while the government insists on conducting ‘one-person-one-vote’ elections, and the opposition — including all presidential candidates, two Federal Member States, two former presidents, and numerous former prime ministers — has announced it will launch a parallel process once the legislature’s mandate expires on 14 April.
Somalia’s constitutional order emerged from a political settlement negotiated between 2000 and 2012, which ended civil war and a decade of statelessness. Therefore, scheming a wholesale change to the constitution — whose provisions require consensus — risks reversing hard-won gains across many fronts, including societal cohesion. The constitution that Speaker Madobe now seeks to discard has kept Somalia together for twenty-five years.
Over the past quarter century, when politicians bent the rules of the game to suit themselves — be it the constitutional order, parliamentary procedures, or political consensus — international partners made clear they would designate such actors “spoilers,” with travel bans and asset freezes wielded over their heads.
Somalia today faces a clear risk of sliding into dangerous territory, all while Al-Shabaab and ISIS remain active and at war with both the Federal Government and opposition forces alike.
One therefore wonders whether those who invested in Somalia’s stability may once again reach for those tools, so that Somalia’s wayward and self-absorbed politicians rediscover their sense of restraint and straight thinking.
The attached 2021 reports remind us what happens when international partners draw a clear line in the sand 👇
As #Somalia assumes the Presidency of the #UNSC today, we are guided by a deep sense of duty to uphold international #peace & security.
We will prioritize transparent, efficient & consensus-driven working methods & engage broadly with #UN members & stakeholders. #SOM2526#Jan2026
This is the best political ad in Somali I have ever seen.
On point. Timely.
Young Somalis finally woke up.
Just brilliant.
Goosebumps.
Watch this to the end.
Join @SGEM2016 for our Forum for Solutions on Paths to Peace: Ensuring Stability in Times of Political Disputes. A timely dialogue uniting scholars, former officials & civil society leaders to explore inclusive paths toward peace & stability in 🇸🇴. Oct 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM EAT
Honored to attend the premiere of ‘Village Next to Paradise’ tonight. A hauntingly beautiful film that speaks to Somali resilience. Featured at Cannes, now celebrated during #SomaliWeek. What a triumph for our stories.
@Gobannimo@BoWarsame@abdibashirMXG@AliNaji8@LKulmiye
At the Somalia National Day at Osaka Expo 2025, I had the honor of reciting “Soomaali Baan Ahay / I Am Somali”, the timeless poem by Abdülkadir Hirsi Yam Yam. His words capture the essence of our identity — resilience, dignity, and unity.
#soomaalibaanahay#Somalia