Somalia’s parliament approved constitutional changes that could extend the president’s term by one year.
The vote on Wednesday sparked debate among analysts over its exact political implications for Somalia’s fragile governance and upcoming elections.
Somalia has suffered decades of conflict and clan warfare with no strong central government since Mohamed Siad Barre’s fall in 1991.
An African Union peacekeeping mission has pushed back al Shabaab, but the militant group still controls large rural areas and strikes major towns.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated parliament’s approval, calling the process long-delayed and signalling cautious optimism about the legal changes.
Samira Gaid, an analyst at Mogadishu’s Balqiis think tank, said the amendments’ impact remained ambiguous and sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers.
“The constitutional change does not automatically extend the president’s term, but interpretation could allow delays, drawing scrutiny from the international community,” Gaid explained.
Gaid added that elections planned for May are likely to be postponed because no agreed framework currently exists to organise voting.
Parliament’s decision highlights Somalia’s delicate political balance, where legal reforms intersect with security challenges and pressures from both domestic and international actors.
Observers warn the move could intensify tensions between the government and opposition, while also shaping Somalia’s trajectory amid continuing threats from militant groups.