US warns Somali government against unilateral decisions on constitution and elections
The United States on Friday warned Somalia’s federal government against making unilateral changes to the country’s constitution and electoral process, saying such actions would lack legitimacy without broader consensus.
“All relevant stakeholders should have a say in changes to Somalia’s federal and election systems. Decisions taken without broad-based support will lack legitimacy and distract from pressing security challenges,” the US Bureau of African Affairs said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The remarks came in response to a communiqué issued by the Somali presidency following this week’s National Consultative Council (NCC) summit in Mogadishu. According to Villa Somalia, the participants agreed to uphold existing laws, including the changes made last year to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Constitution that led Puntland to boycott cooperation with the federal government. They also pledged support for ongoing voter registration efforts, the communiqué said.
However, the regional states of Puntland and Jubaland did not attend the summit due to political disagreements with the federal government, particularly over proposed amendments to the Transitional Federal Constitution.
The US also expressed concern that prioritising constitutional changes and a shift in the electoral model could derail ongoing efforts to combat Al-Shabaab, which has recently escalated its attacks.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been pushing for Somalia to transition from its current indirect electoral system to a direct one-person, one-vote model. However, the proposal has been met with strong opposition from Puntland, Jubaland, and various political figures, who argue that current security conditions make such a transition impractical.
Critics have accused the president of using the electoral reform process and the disputed electoral commission as a means to extend his term in office.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the president and leaders of some participating federal member states are considering the formation of a new political party following the summit.
The US statement marks a significant diplomatic setback for President Mohamud’s administration, which is already at odds with Puntland and Jubaland—both of which have severed working ties with Mogadishu.
