Political Crisis Deepens in Somalia After Court Rejects President's Term Extension

Somalia is facing a deepening political and constitutional crisis after the country's Supreme Court ruled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term extension was unlawful, intensifying tensions between the presidency, judiciary and opposition groups.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, November 5, challenges the president's decision to remain in office beyond the expiry of his original mandate in May 2026.

The court determined that constitutional amendments extending presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years could not be applied retrospectively to officials already serving their mandates.

It directed political leaders to agree on an electoral roadmap within 30 days and organise elections within 90 days, setting the stage for a potentially significant political transition.

The decision has raised questions about the authority of the federal government, the independence of the judiciary and the future of Somalia's electoral process.

Supreme Court Rejects President's Extra Year in Office

President Mohamud's original four-year mandate expired on May 15, 2026. However, his administration maintained that constitutional amendments approved by parliament in March allowed him to remain in office until May 2027.

The changes also extended the mandates of members of parliament.

The government argued that the additional year would provide time to prepare for Somalia's first nationwide direct democratic elections.

However, opposition leaders challenged the amendments, arguing that the extensions were unconstitutional and that the president should have left office when his original mandate expired.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that the longer terms did not automatically apply to officials already in office.

The judges also directed the federal government to operate in a caretaker capacity, restricting its activities to routine administration until elections are organised.

The ruling did not identify who would assume presidential responsibilities if the government failed to comply with the court's deadlines.

President's Attempt to Dismiss Chief Justice Sparks Further Dispute

The court ruling followed another controversial development involving the presidency and the judiciary.

On Wednesday, November 4, President Mohamud announced the dismissal of Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, citing concerns about the administration of justice and the need for judicial reform.

The announcement came shortly before the Supreme Court delivered its decision on the presidential term extension.

However, the court subsequently declared the chief justice's dismissal null and void, arguing that the president did not have the constitutional authority to remove him through a presidential decree.

The judges also accused the presidency of attempting to obstruct the administration of justice during the constitutional proceedings.

The confrontation has raised concerns about judicial independence and the separation of powers in Somalia.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also accused the government of deploying security forces around the Supreme Court and targeting judicial officials. These allegations had not been independently verified by the Associated Press at the time of reporting.

Government Rejects the Court's Decision

The legal dispute has continued following the judgment, with Somalia's Attorney General rejecting the Supreme Court's decision.

In a statement reported on Saturday, November 7, the Attorney General's office argued that the ruling had no legal effect and questioned the court's jurisdiction and the legal basis of the petition.

The government also raised procedural objections, including concerns about how the case was heard.

The disagreement leaves Somalia facing uncertainty over whether the court's directives will be implemented and how the competing institutions will resolve their constitutional differences.

Opposition leaders, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, have welcomed the ruling and called for political negotiations to address the country's leadership and electoral disputes.

Disagreement Over Somalia's Electoral System

At the centre of the political crisis is a wider disagreement over how Somalia should elect its leaders.

President Mohamud supports a transition towards direct elections, allowing citizens to vote for their representatives rather than relying on the country's longstanding clan-based indirect electoral system.

Under the existing arrangement, clan representatives select lawmakers, who subsequently elect the president.

However, opposition groups and regional administrations, particularly Puntland and Jubaland, have challenged the government's proposed electoral reforms.

They argue that the constitutional changes and election arrangements require broader political agreement and consultation with Somalia's federal member states.

The disagreement has repeatedly disrupted political negotiations and contributed to tensions between the federal government and regional authorities.

Security Concerns Add to Somalia's Political Uncertainty

The political confrontation comes as Somalia continues to face security challenges linked to the ongoing insurgency by Al-Shabaab, an extremist group affiliated with al-Qaeda.

The country has also experienced armed clashes between government forces and opposition-linked militias, including violence in Mogadishu in June 2026 following disagreements over the president's decision to remain in office.

The security situation has attracted additional attention following Uganda's announcement that it is withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia.

The African Union's peacekeeping mission is preparing to take over some positions previously occupied by Ugandan forces, although questions remain about the security arrangements at other locations.

The closure of the United Nations political mission in Somalia has also reduced an important channel that previously supported political dialogue and negotiations between rival leaders.

What Happens Next?

The Supreme Court's decision places Somalia's political leadership under pressure to agree on an electoral framework within the prescribed 30-day period.

The court has also called for elections within 90 days, a timetable that could significantly disrupt the government's previously announced plan to hold parliamentary elections in April 2027 and a presidential election on May 15, 2027.

However, the practical implementation of the ruling remains uncertain, particularly following the Attorney General's rejection of the judgment.

For Somalia, the immediate challenge is finding a constitutional and political settlement that prevents further institutional confrontation and maintains stability as the country continues its fight against Al-Shabaab.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the government, opposition and regional administrations can reach an agreement on the country's political future.