(3 Minutes Read)
The major change establishes a president-appointed prime minister. It replaced the previous requirement for parliamentary confidence votes. This adjustment, in theory, seeks to provide more flexibility in governance, addressing tensions arising from power and resource distribution among clans and regions. However, in practice, it has to be ascertained how it would fan out
Somalia made significant changes to its constitution. The amended constitution grants the president the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister. Approved by a substantial majority of parliament after intense debates within the federal assembly in Mogadishu, political analysts consider this a significant change that can centralize powers with the president.
The major change establishes a president-appointed prime minister. It replaced the previous requirement for parliamentary confidence votes. This adjustment, in theory, seeks to provide more flexibility in governance, addressing tensions arising from power and resource distribution among clans and regions. However, in practice, it has to be ascertained how it would fan out.
The amendments were proposed by the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC). Three draft provisions concerning religion would undergo further review to ensure alignment with Somali principles and values. These amendments, under review for almost a decade, gained momentum in late 2023. They aim to address longstanding disputes in Somali politics, particularly power struggles between presidents and prime ministers, often fuelled by constitutional ambiguities.
The amended constitution also introduces a five-year term for government bodies, refers to regional state leaders as presidents, and promotes a multi-party system. However, some political figures, including former presidents and state leaders, oppose these changes, citing concerns about insufficient consensus.
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The approved amendments set the age of maturity at 15 and the age of responsibility at 18. The rights groups caution that these changes may exacerbate the risks of child marriage, particularly for girls. Human Rights Watch urges Somalia to uphold constitutional protections for children, emphasizing the importance of meeting international human rights commitments.
