The Office of the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Somalia has issued a statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Somalia has issued a statement regarding the decision of the Supreme Court

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Somalia has rejected a decision issued by the Supreme Court of the country, describing it as inconsistent with the law.

In a press release the office recently issued, it detailed several points of opposition to the court's decision, which relates to the procedures for amending the Constitution of Somalia.

The Office of the Attorney General stated that it has reviewed the constitutional provisions, relevant laws, and court documents, and then issued its position.

Among the points the office criticized the court for was its failure to respond to the legal arguments presented by government representatives before making a decision on the case.

"Before addressing the substance of the case, it was necessary for the court to respond to the legal objections submitted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Government, whether the court accepted or rejected those objections. By not responding to the legal objections submitted to the court, it stated that it issued a court decision," the statement said.

It added: "The court violated the structure of the court, because the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the country should have presided over the judges adjudicating the case, in accordance with paragraph 5 of article 24 of law No. 23 issued on 27/6/2016."

The office stated that the court should have followed the legal procedures for hearing both sides before making a decision.

Another issue that the Office of the Attorney General opposed was related to the court opening a new case.

"The case opened in the Court was against the amendment of the constitution. The statement circulated on social media claimed the validity of the constitutional amendment process, however, it created a new case that was not submitted, which contradicts Article 77 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia as read with paragraph 1 of Article 24 of Law No. 23 issued on 27/6/2016," the statement said.

The Office added that this decision was not legal, and that it would take appropriate legal actions.

This statement comes at a time when legal and political debates regarding the amendment of the Constitution of Somalia and the powers of government institutions concerning the constitutional process are still ongoing.