Somalia’s Parliament Votes to Delay Elections, Extend Presidential Term

Somalia's parliament has approved constitutional changes that postpone upcoming elections by one year and extend terms for lawmakers and the president from four to five years. The decision has drawn criticism from opposition leaders who are demanding elections proceed as originally scheduled for May.

MOGADISHU – In a significant political development Wednesday, Somalia’s legislative body approved constitutional amendments that will postpone the nation’s upcoming elections and lengthen the terms of both parliamentary members and the country’s president.

The East African nation has struggled with ongoing instability and tribal conflicts since autocratic leader Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991, leaving the country without effective central governance for decades.

Despite efforts by African Union peacekeeping forces to combat the terrorist organization al Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda, the militant group continues to maintain control over large rural territories and regularly launches attacks against major cities and towns.

Last August, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud negotiated an agreement with certain opposition figures that would have allowed direct legislative elections in 2026, though the presidential selection would remain in parliament’s hands. Legislation passed in 2024 had restored direct voting rights for citizens prior to the scheduled election.

During Wednesday’s session, 222 members of the combined parliament and senate – representing two-thirds of the total 329 legislators – approved the constitutional modifications through voice vote. The changes extend both legislative and presidential terms to five years, up from the previous four-year limit.

“Today is a historic day for it is the official completion of the constitution which had dragged for a long period,” the president told a press conference on Wednesday.

However, opposition party leadership, including multiple former presidents and past prime ministers, have denounced the constitutional amendment and continue to demand that elections move forward in May according to the original timeline.