MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – On Monday this week, Puntland State of Somalia announced that it will neither recognize nor implement any unilateral changes to the country’s provisional constitution proposed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
That change is now anticipated to occur on Saturday as President Mohamud prepares for his latest initiative to introduce a new draft constitution to parliament members.
Lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, a prominent opposition figure, has cautioned that proceeding with the overhaul of the constitution could lead to division within the country.
“We sat with the president up-to four times and we noted our concern telling that changing the constitution requires consensus of all but he did not listen,” Abdishakur said.
As a member of parliament, he explained that they had attempted to voice their concerns regarding the new draft constitution and the potential issues that could arise, risking the loss of legitimacy for any process conducted without consensus.
“However, it became apparent to us that our concerns were being disregarded. All of our input was dismissed,” he stated.
Abdishakur asserted that the new constitution, which will be presented to parliament, is not viable and cautioned against attempts to manipulate the parliament, which he claims lacks a full quorum.
“They require a two-thirds majority, which is 220 members, but we are aware that such a number of MPs are not present, so they intend to manipulate and falsify the voting,” he warned.
President Mohamud on Friday said the draft new constitution will proceed to the parliament shunning the opposition of the various sides.
Sources told Kaab TV that members of the international community are now concerned that the unilateral move to change the constitution will create fragmentation adding new obstacles to the already multi-layered crisis facing Somali governance and security.