Somalia political crisis deepens over election mandates and constitutional disputes

Somalia is facing a deepening political crisis following the expiration of mandates for the Federal Parliament and the presidency in early 2026. To prevent a constitutional vacuum, parliament passed a resolution extending both terms by one year, a move vehemently rejected by opposition coalitions.

The Somali Future Council (SFC), an opposition coalition including the presidents of Puntland and Jubaland, has appealed to the United Nations and international partners for inclusive dialogue. The SFC is calling for an international mediator and guarantor to monitor any potential political settlement, noting that previous mediation attempts have failed to produce a roadmap.

Amidst this impasse, the federal government under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud continues to advance its preferred electoral model and constitutional amendments. While the government aims for a transition to universal suffrage, the opposition argues these changes lack consensus and threaten the country’s political stability.

In a separate legislative development, the Somalia Senate approved a bill to establish a national Revenue Authority and endorsed two new members for the Independent Constitutional Review Commission to strengthen domestic financial administration.