by Suleiman Bashir Mohamed
Friday February 13, 2026
Somalia is at a defining moment. After decades of conflict and fragile governance, the Federal Government’s ongoing constitutional amendment process offers a historic opportunity: to reclaim political legitimacy, strengthen democratic institutions, and return power to the Somali people. Yet, rather than supporting this essential reform, opposition leaders are attempting to derail it — prioritising political expediency over national interest.
An historic opportunity for Somalia
Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the constitutional review has moved steadily and deliberately. Its goal is clear: introduce universal suffrage, clarify the separation of powers, and dismantle the clan-based electoral system that has long entrenched elite dominance. These are not abstract reforms; they are foundational steps toward a government that reflects the will of the people rather than the ambitions of a narrow political elite.
The opposition, however, has painted the process as illegitimate, rushed, or exclusionary. Former officeholders and certain regional actors warn of national disunity and constitutional crisis, while offering no alternative pathway toward meaningful reform. Their efforts are not motivated by principle, but by the desire to preserve entrenched power and influence. This selective criticism undermines Somalia’s democratic trajectory and risks reversing hard-won gains in governance.
The rule of law must prevail
Critics claim the government is overstepping its mandate. Yet the provisional constitution — in place since 2012 — explicitly allows amendments through representative legislative mechanisms. The ongoing process is legal, participatory, and transparent. Opposition attempts to delegitimise it are less about protecting the public interest and more about resisting accountability. History has shown that elite manoeuvres and extra-constitutional tactics, when tolerated, weaken the state and deepen instability. Somalia cannot afford a repeat.
President Mohamud faces a pivotal responsibility. Compromise is necessary when it enhances legitimacy and inclusion, but it must not degenerate into capitulation. Dialogue with regional authorities, civil society, and independent actors should continue, ensuring transparency and public participation, while the government remains resolute in advancing reforms that are essential for national stability and democratic consolidation.
Returning power to the people
The opposition portrays constitutional reform as a threat to unity. In reality, it is the most effective means of securing it. Universal suffrage, strengthened accountability, and clarified governance structures will consolidate Somali unity and empower citizens. Political elites cannot hold national destiny hostage for partisan gain; doing so risks both political and social fragmentation.
Mr President, do not relinquish our destiny. Somalia’s constitutional journey is both symbolic and practical. It marks the country’s emergence from decades of elite bargaining, patronage politics, and provisional arrangements. Completing this process will ensure political power belongs where it always should: with the Somali people.
"Mr President, do not relinquish our destiny. Somalia’s constitutional journey is both symbolic and practical. It marks the country’s emergence from decades of elite bargaining, patronage politics, and provisional arrangements. Completing this process will ensure political power belongs where it always should: with the Somali people."
A moment for leadership
The path forward requires courage and conviction. The government must resist obstructionist pressures, engage inclusively, and uphold the rule of law. Success will not only secure Somalia’s democratic future but also demonstrate that political maturity is measured not by who shouts the loudest, but by who chooses the long-term stability of the nation over short-term personal gain.
By advancing constitutional reform responsibly, President Mohamud can transform a historic challenge into a generational achievement, returning agency to citizens and ensuring that Somalia’s future belongs to its people, not to a few entrenched elites.
