Somalia Government Seeks 15-Day Extension in Constitutional Lawsuit

The Federal Government of Somalia has asked the Supreme Court for an additional 15 days to respond to a lawsuit challenging the country’s new Constitution, filed by former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

The request was submitted on Thursday, October 22, the deadline set by the court for the government to present its legal defence. The government is seeking an extension until November 7, 2026, to prepare its response.

The request, filed by the government’s Attorney General, is awaiting a decision by the Supreme Court. The court has yet to announce whether it will grant the extension.

The lawsuit concerns the constitutional amendment process pursued by the federal government, which Sheikh Sharif has challenged on legal and procedural grounds. He has asked the Supreme Court to rule on the disputed constitutional issues.

The case comes amid ongoing political disagreements over the new Constitution and the process through which it was amended. The court’s decision on the government’s request will determine the timeline for the next stage of the proceedings.