Unusual Reaction to the Cabinet's Constitutional Decision

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – An unusual reaction has arisen following the decision made by the Council of Ministers of Somalia last night, after they approved a new resolution aimed at accelerating the implementation of the country's Constitution, which stipulates that government agencies must align their work with constitutional provisions, while also preparing a law defining the number of ministries and their responsibilities.

This decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, during which the council appointed a ministerial-level committee and a technical committee to coordinate activities related to the implementation of the Constitution.

The resolution, which consists of five articles and is detailed in a two-page document issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, instructs government agencies to take necessary steps for the implementation of constitutional provisions that do not require prior laws to be established.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, speaking at the meeting, stated that the new Constitution has come into effect, and its implementation will go through various phases to align with the governance system and government agencies.

He also mentioned that the government is working towards holding federal-level elections based on the one-person, one-vote system next year.

This decision comes as the deadline of October 14 approaches, marking the six-month period allocated for the implementation of constitutional provisions that separate the roles of ministers and parliamentarians.

So how has the decision of the Council of Ministers regarding the implementation of the Constitution been reacted to?

Mr. Cali Cabdullahi: “The 4th article is the most important, and there must be a law regulating the government (Law on the Council of Ministers), and also an Administrative Law (Sharciga Maamulka) must be established.”

Dr. Mahad Deerow: “In the constitution you wrote, did you consider the term limits for a minister who is also a member of parliament, when will you separate them?”

Axmed Arad: “It is said that ‘this issue will not leave you’.”

Kamaal Xuseen: “Are you telling children that the constitution is the one? This country has no other constitution since 12.”

Maxamed Cali Khaliiji: “These things are not progressing; the parliament should address this issue with the ministers and members of parliament in one place.”

However, the new constitution was approved by the Federal Parliament on March 4, 2026, and was signed by President Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud four days later, concluding a constitutional review process that had lasted more than ten years.

Nevertheless, amendments to the constitution remain a focal point of political conflict between the federal government and some opposition parties, including Puntland and Jubbaland, who oppose the process and the changes made to the terms of federal institutions.