President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s four-year mandate expired in May
Somalia’s Supreme Court has declared President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to prolong his tenure unconstitutional, intensifying tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday, also overturned the president’s decision to remove Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, stressing that such an action was beyond his constitutional powers.
Judges further directed political stakeholders to establish an agreed electoral framework within 30 days and organise national polls within three months, potentially undermining the government’s proposed election schedule for 2027.
Mohamud’s four-year presidency officially ended in May. However, parliament endorsed legislative amendments in March allowing him to remain in office for an additional 12 months.
The move has attracted strong criticism from opposition politicians, who believe the constitutional adjustments were designed to secure an extended stay in power.
The president, however, maintains that the changes are intended to strengthen democratic governance by replacing Somalia’s traditional clan-based voting arrangement, under which community elders select political representatives, with universal suffrage.
Somalia has not conducted nationwide direct elections since 1969 and has endured decades of armed conflict, with al-Shabab extremists maintaining influence across several rural communities.
In its latest judgment, the Supreme Court maintained that the revised constitutional provisions could not legally be used to alter the duration of the incumbent president’s existing mandate.
The judges separately overturned Ahmed’s removal, describing the action as invalid and warning against political interference in the administration of justice.
Following the dismissal, Mohamud named Ibrahim Idle Suleiman, a former holder of the judicial position, as Ahmed’s replacement.
Government officials defended the decision, explaining that concerns surrounding judicial administration and the need for accountability had informed the move.
Nevertheless, the court maintained that removing the chief justice required compliance with constitutionally prescribed procedures.
Former Somali leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the judgment, warning that the nation was experiencing a serious political breakdown and urging the administration to pursue dialogue and national agreement.
The dispute deepened after former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that the president had dispatched armed personnel to the Supreme Court in an attempt to detain its chief justice.
Khaire described the reported development as an attack on the country’s highest judicial institution, warning that undermining the courts threatened constitutional governance.
Although AFP could not independently establish whether security operatives had been deployed, images shared by Somali media reportedly showed armed officers within the court premises.
The latest developments have also cast doubt over the country’s forthcoming electoral arrangements.
Somalia’s electoral commission has proposed parliamentary voting for April 15, 2027, followed by presidential elections in May. However, opposition parties and the regional administrations of Puntland and Jubaland have rejected the proposed timetable.
Seeking to resolve the impasse, Mohamud has scheduled national consultations for November 14–18. Nevertheless, opposition figures have challenged his authority to initiate the discussions.
The constitutional confrontation comes amid continuing security challenges posed by al-Shabab, which retains control over extensive rural territories despite prolonged government-led military campaigns.
Security concerns have increased further following Uganda’s announcement this week that it intends to withdraw its troops from Somalia before the end of the year.
Kampala currently provides the largest contingent of personnel to the African Union mission combating the insurgents.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong