MOGADISHU — Tensions between Somalia’s Federal Government and its political rivals reached a boiling point on Thursday as opposition leaders, federal lawmakers, and civil society figures formally accused the nation’s leadership of implementing “illegal” amendments to the Provisional Constitution.
The accusations were leveled during the “Constitutional Defense Conference,” a high-stakes gathering held in Mogadishu on February 27, 2026. The event united members of the Somali Future Council, dozens of federal parliamentarians, and prominent political figures from across the nation in a show of unified dissent.
“Unconstitutional” Procedures and Barred MPs
In a strongly worded communiqué released following the gathering, the opposition bloc claimed that the administration had flagrantly disregarded established legal procedures in its ongoing review and amendment process. Most alarmingly, they alleged that over 50 members of parliament were wrongfully barred from attending legislative sessions specifically because of their vocal opposition to how the amendments were being managed.
According to their statement, the formal requirements for constitutional review were systematically bypassed, rendering the current process illegitimate.
Lack of Consensus on Core Issues
The conference attendees contended that no comprehensive consensus has been established between the Federal Government and Federal Member States on fundamental existential matters. These include the national security structure, the judicial framework, public financial management, and the contentious distribution of authority and natural resources between federal and state levels.
Opposition leaders asserted that substantial public consultations had not taken place, describing the process as “unilateral” and lacking the broad political participation required for such foundational changes.
Ultimatum and Upcoming Summit
This confrontation follows the recent breakdown of direct talks between the Future Council and the Federal Government. In their final declaration, the opposition leaders reaffirmed that the 2012 Provisional Constitution remains the nation’s only valid governing document and warned that those responsible for altering it outside the legal framework would face consequences.
Citing the lack of an agreed electoral framework and the approaching conclusion of the current parliament’s term on April 14, the Somali Future Council announced intentions to convene an expanded national forum on April 10. They described this upcoming summit as a critical effort to “protect Somalia’s sovereignty and political system.”
Beyond the constitutional crisis, the leaders urged Somali citizens and the international community to prioritize immediate aid to communities impacted by severe drought conditions currently ravaging various parts of the country.
