MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Samira Gaid, a security analyst at the Balqiis Institute, has said it remains unclear how the constitutional amendments will affect the country’s politics or the current president’s term in office.
Speaking to Reuters, Samira noted that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is being cautious about publicly stating whether he intends to extend his term, as such a move could trigger criticism from the international community.
“The constitutional amendment does not directly extend the current Somali president’s term, but it is an issue that requires interpretation. For now, the president is being careful not to say that he is extending his mandate because it could attract criticism from the international community,” she said.
She also stated that the elections scheduled for May are likely to be delayed, as there is still no agreed-upon electoral framework. Opposition groups have strongly opposed the new constitution and any potential extension of the current term.
However, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed the country’s new constitution yesterday, after both houses of parliament approved it on March 4.
The new constitution sets the presidential term at five years and also stipulates that an individual cannot simultaneously serve as a cabinet minister and a member of parliament.
Its implementation will significantly affect the structure of Somalia’s government, as most members of the current cabinet are also members of either the Lower House or the Upper House of parliament.