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Over 70 Somali lawmakers oppose President's Constitution amendment plans


Tuesday March 19, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) – Over 70 members from both chambers of the federal parliament strongly opposed President Mohamud's plans to amend the country's provisional constitution following a meeting in Mogadishu on Monday night.

The lawmakers argued that the current process involves creating a new constitution rather than amending the constitution, which they deem dangerous for Somalia's governance.

Lawmakers Abdisalan Dhaban'ad and Senator Mohamed Yusuf Gagaab, the two senior figures in their respective houses, emphasized that they would not support President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in this constitutional process. They called on the President to reconsider his approach, warning that it could lead to new challenges.

"Mr. President, we acknowledge the hard work you have been putting into serving our country day and night, but we cannot support your proposal to amend the constitution," said MP Abdisalan Dhabancad.

The parliamentarians' opposition to amending the constitution comes amid the recent opposition of former presidents Farmaajo and Sheikh Sharif, as well as other prominent politicians, to the move by the country's top leaders to amend the constitution.

Despite adopting the Somali Provisional Constitution in 2012, many challenges have delayed the envisaged four-year comprehensive constitutional review. Former Lower House speaker Mohammad Osman Jawari commended the current administration for reaching preliminary agreements on vital issues but cautioned that unresolved matters persist, which requires widespread agreement for any constitutional amendments.



 





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