Somalia Cabinet approves plan to implement new constitution

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Cabinet has approved a resolution to implement the country’s new constitution and appointed a ministerial committee to draft legislation defining the structure of the government, the number of ministers and their responsibilities.

The decision was made during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting late Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

The meeting focused on constitutional implementation, state-building and strengthening government institutions.

The committee, chaired by the minister of justice and constitutional affairs, has been given two months to prepare a draft law outlining the structure of the executive branch, including the number of ministers and the responsibilities of government institutions.

The prime minister’s office described the proposed legislation as the first of its kind since 1968.

The move comes as Somalia continues efforts to implement constitutional changes and establish a framework for the country’s political and institutional development.

Barre told the meeting that the constitution was in force and that its implementation would proceed through different stages, according to the statement.

He also reiterated the government’s plan to hold federal elections based on a one-person, one-vote system in 2027.

Somalia has faced prolonged political disputes over constitutional amendments, electoral arrangements and the distribution of powers between the federal government and regional administrations. The implementation of constitutional provisions and the transition toward direct elections have been central issues in the country’s political debate.

The government has presented direct voting as part of efforts to strengthen public participation in elections and develop the country’s democratic institutions.

However, disagreements among political stakeholders over constitutional changes and the electoral process have complicated efforts to reach consensus on Somalia’s future political arrangements.

The Cabinet’s decision to prepare legislation governing the executive branch is intended to provide a clearer legal framework for the composition and responsibilities of the government.