Somalia
On March 5, 2026, Somalia's parliament voted to change its constitution, extending the term in office for lawmakers and the president from four to five years, effectively delaying planned elections by a year. The decision was made during a joint session of the parliament and senate, with 222 out of 329 lawmakers voting in favor of the amendment.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the decision as a historic milestone in the country's long constitutional process, stating, "Today is a historic day for it is the official completion of the constitution which had dragged for a long period."
However, opposition party leaders, including former presidents and former prime ministers, rejected the amendment and called for elections to be held as originally planned. They argue that the extension undermines democratic principles and could lead to political instability.
Somalia has endured conflict and clan battles with no strong central government since the fall of autocratic ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. While an African Union peacekeeping mission has pushed back the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group, the militant organization still controls vast areas of the countryside and has the ability to conduct regular strikes on major population centers.
The extension of terms and delay of elections raise concerns about the potential for increased political tension and instability in the country. The government will need to address these concerns and work towards ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process to maintain public trust and national unity.
