Somali Opposition Leaders, Lawmakers Accuse Govt Of Unlawful Constitutional Changes

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Opposition leaders, federal lawmakers and conveners of a constitutional gathering in Mogadishu on Thursday accused Somalia’s federal leadership of pushing through what they described as unlawful amendments to the Provisional Constitution, further escalating tensions between the Federal Government and its critics.
The meeting, held under the banner of a Constitutional Defense Conference on 27 February 2026, brought together members of the Somali Future Council, MPs from the Federal Parliament and political figures from across the country.

In a communiqué issued after the gathering, the opposition leaders and lawmakers said they had reviewed reports and evidence suggesting that constitutional procedures were bypassed in the ongoing review and amendment process.
They alleged that more than 50 members of parliament were unlawfully prevented from attending parliamentary sessions because of their opposition to the way the amendments were being handled. According to the statement, the formal procedures required under the Constitution for its review and amendment were not followed.

They also argued that no comprehensive agreement had been reached between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States on key foundational issues, including the national security architecture, the structure of the judiciary, public financial management and the allocation of powers and natural resources between the federal and state levels.
The opposition leaders and conveners further maintained that meaningful public consultations had not been conducted, describing the process as lacking broad participation and political consensus.
The latest accusations come amid an escalating row between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition groups, which last week led to the collapse of talks between the two sides. Opposition figures accused the government of pursuing unilateral constitutional changes and sidelining key stakeholders from critical national decisions, alongside broader concerns over electoral arrangements and the balance of power between Mogadishu and the Federal Member States.
In their concluding statement, the opposition leaders, lawmakers and conveners strongly condemned what they termed unilateral and unlawful amendments to the Constitution and called on the federal leadership to halt any such steps, warning that those responsible would be held accountable. They reaffirmed that the 2012 Provisional Constitution remains the country’s official governing charter and cannot be altered outside the legal framework it prescribes.
They also called for overdue elections in Federal Member States to be held without delay in accordance with their respective constitutions and federal constitutional principles. Citing the absence of an agreed national electoral framework and the approaching end of the current parliament’s term on 14 April, the Somali Future Council announced plans to convene a broader national forum on 10 April, which it said would seek to safeguard Somalia’s statehood and political order.
In addition to constitutional and political concerns, the opposition leaders and lawmakers appealed to Somali citizens and the international community to provide urgent assistance to communities affected by severe drought conditions in parts of the country.
The Federal Government had not immediately responded to the statement.