Although the law and the Rules of Procedure of the Somali Parliament require a two-thirds quorum of members from both houses—comprising the Lower House and the Upper House—to attend joint sessions, the meeting reportedly failed to reach the required number of lawmakers.

According to the latest figures on attendance, as many as 132 members of parliament were absent from yesterday’s session, opposition lawmakers who oppose the constitutional amendments said today.

Those absent included 20 members of the Upper House and 112 members of the Lower House, all of whom are said to oppose the proposed constitutional changes.

Among the absent lawmakers was the Speaker of the Upper House, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi.

Lower House Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who chaired the session, stated that some lawmakers voted online, despite parliamentary rules specifying only three voting methods that require the physical presence of members during voting.

A dozen of lawmakers from Puntland were held at a hotel near Mogadishu’s airport, where they had been stuck for four days after being prevented from boarding a flight to Garowe on Sunday, when their flight was turned back.

There are also allegations that individuals who were not members of parliament attended the session and participated in the vote, according to photos taken inside the parliament.

Two clerics known for strongly supporting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were seen raising their hands during the show-of-hands vote.

Term extension in the new Constitution

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has recently been pushing for the adoption of a new constitution, which he describes as amendments to Somalia’s Provisional Constitution that has been in place since 2012.

The new constitution would extend the presidential term from four years to five years, effectively granting the current president an additional year in office.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s current term is set to expire on May 15, 2026. Opposition groups have said they will not accept any extension beyond that date, warning that it could trigger a political crisis.

The federal member states of Puntland and Jubaland have condemned the constitutional changes, stating that they only recognize Somalia’s Provisional Constitution.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, however, has described the constitutional change as a historic step.

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In an exclusive interview with Kaab TV, MP Jeesow said that it is not within parliament’s mandate to amend the constitution, arguing that the Provisional Constitution was a pact agreed upon by representatives from all federal member states.

“It is not our job to amend the constitution. Among the four chapters, there is one that was written outside and inserted,” MP Jeesow stated.

Previously, there have been accusations that most of the altered provisions in the constitution were written by President Hassan Sheikh himself.

The federal member states of Puntland and Jubbaland, along with opposition politicians in Mogadishu — including former leaders — have rejected the constitutional amendments, calling them illegal.

MP Jeesow also criticized President Hassan Sheikh for dividing the country and for previously stating that he could do without the federal states of Puntland and Jubbaland – two key federal member states.

“Jubbaland and Puntland are not missing anything. It was President Hassan Sheikh himself who said he doesn’t need those two administrations,” said MP Jeesow.

Somalia is currently experiencing a political stalemate, primarily related to uncertain elections for 2026 and disagreements between the Federal Government and Federal Member States over the change of the constitution.

This impasse has led to concerns about the country’s stability and progress.

International partners have urged Somali leaders to prioritize national interests and find a resolution.

The post MP Jeesow Accuses Hassan Sheikh of Unlawful Constitutional Amendments as the Cause of Somalia’s Political Stalemate appeared first on Kaab TV.

The criticism came at the close of a three-day opposition conference in Mogadishu, which included consultations with civil society groups, women, elders, and business leaders.

In a strongly worded statement, the Opposition Forum warned that the current trajectory of political decision-making under President Hassan Sheikh risks destabilizing Somalia’s recent security gains.

“This is a dangerous turn that could undo years of hard-won progress,” the statement read.

Allegations of Partisan Politics and Marginalization

The forum accused the president of marginalizing key federal member states—particularly Puntland and Jubaland—while promoting loyal administrations in South West, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle.

These regional leaders, the statement noted, have recently joined the president’s Union for Peace and Development Party (JSP), in what opposition leaders call a coordinated move to consolidate power.

“The illegal term extensions, partisan alignments, and dismantling of the National Consultative Council (NCC) point to President Hassan Sheikh’s authoritarian ambitions and a strategy to engineer a one-man election,” the communiqué asserted.

The group also condemned corruption, land grabbing, and the alleged misuse of public resources.

They raised alarm over secretive deals signed with foreign companies and governments involving Somalia’s natural resources—including oil, minerals, and fisheries—which they claim have enriched a small elite closely tied to the president’s family.

Press Freedom and Civil Liberties

The opposition expressed grave concern over increasing restrictions on press freedom. They cited a recent spike in journalist arrests and equipment seizures, particularly targeting reporters covering the controversial forced voter registration in Mogadishu.

“These actions are unacceptable and only worsen the already precarious safety of Somali journalists,” the statement added.

Calling for a return to constitutional order, the forum denounced the unlawful amendments allegedly made by the president to the Provisional Federal Constitution.

They urged the formation of an independent electoral commission and demanded inclusive, transparent elections.

“We call for an urgent national dialogue involving all stakeholders—federal leaders, state authorities, and opposition figures—to steer the country away from political collapse and the threat of extremism,” the leaders said.

Call for Renewed Dialogue with Somaliland

The group also urged a restart of stalled talks between Somalia and Somaliland, which broke down after Somaliland suspended negotiations.

The move followed what Hargeisa viewed as provocations by Mogadishu, including Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod.

The joint statement was endorsed by a host of influential Somali political figures, including: Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Former Parliament Speakers Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman, Former Prime Ministers Abdi Farah Shirdon, Mohamed Hussein Roble, Hassan Ali Khaire, and Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame and MP Abdikadir Osoble Ali, Former Foreign Minister Ahmed Issa Awad, Former Ministers Abdinur Sheikh Mohamed, Abdullahi Abukar Haji, and Dahir Mohamud Geelle (who recently resigned as a presidential advisor).

The Mogadishu conference took place amid growing political tensions, with the opposition warning that without course correction, Somalia risks sliding back into authoritarianism and instability.

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