Sunday March 24, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's bicameral Parliament concluded the debate on the first four chapters of amending the Constitution during Saturday's joint 29th session in Mogadishu.
The debate on the four chapters began on February 12, 2024, and lasted more than 40 days. Most MPs and Senators in both Houses engaged in challenging debates, including corrections, counting, clearing, and questioning the committees that prepared the proposal.
Speaker of the Lower House, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nor Madobe, announced at the end of the session that the debate on the four chapters had concluded, and the Constitutional Committee was required to summarize the suggestions and recommendations made by lawmakers during the debates.
However, former Somali Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed reiterated their firm stance against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's plans to amend the country's Constitution, which they said threatened the sovereignty and unity of the Somali people.
Sharif and Farmajo warned President Mohamud to continue changing the Constitution and urged him to return to the path of law and consensus and protect the Constitution.
The leaders urged the speakers and members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia to avoid anything that divides the unity and solidarity of the Somali people and to stop the unilateral process of changing the country's Constitution.