MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Somali lawmakers have collectively endorsed a fresh initiative aimed at withdrawing participation and boycotting the ongoing Constitutional Review process.
Below is the full content of the letter:
We, the undersigned members of the Somali federal parliament, are deeply concerned about the current constitutional review process taking place at the Federal Parliament. These concerns are vital to maintaining the unity and political stability of the nation. The constitution serves as a social contract, critical in mitigating conflicts, maintaining national unity, and upholding political stability.
1. In May 2023 NCC meeting, the group put forth a proposal for the inclusion of a new chapter in the constitution. However, the absence of Puntland Regional State has raised legitimate concerns about the council’s decision, which is based on consensus.
2. Furthermore, we are disappointed that the rules and procedures for the adoption of the constitutional review process were not followed. The leadership of the Parliament has deliberately violated these rules and procedures, undermining the process’s integrity and credibility.
3. Additionally, the Speaker’s persistent demand for the debate to proceed without the required members of the parliament present undermines the credibility and accountability of the constitutional review process. The presence of a parliamentary quorum is essential in any legislative procedure, particularly emphasized in the constitution, which guarantees representation and active involvement.
4. The proposed amendments to the Constitution presented for debate comprise of four comprehensive chapters, that effectively give rise to a new Constitution rather than simply modifying or amending the existing one. In total, 45 Articles and 97 Clauses have been amended, while 19 Articles and 94 Clauses have been added that were not present in the original Constitution. Additionally, 3 articles and 26 clauses from the original Constitution have been removed.
5. Chapter 1 focuses on changes to nine articles and twenty-one clauses. Two clauses have been deleted from the Constitution, and nine new clauses have been introduced.
6. Chapter 2 deals with amendments to thirty articles and sixty clauses. Two articles and twenty-three clauses have been removed from the original Constitution, while one article and twenty-seven new articles have been added.
7. Chapter 3 involves amendments to six articles and fifteen clauses. One clause from the original Constitution has been deleted, and three new articles and thirteen clauses have been added.
8. Chapter 4 is entirely new, except for one article. It consists of sixteen new articles, and forty-five clauses. This important chapter proposes a new electoral model and suggests a shift from the existing parliamentary system to a presidential system, a change that holds immense significance for the destiny of Somalia. We believe that this foundational article must genuinely reflect the collective will of the Somali people, rather than rushing unilaterally to its endorsement.
9. Similarly, the president’s relentless pursuit to implement Constitutional amendments through cunning political tactics, like luring MPs with ministerial positions and extending the mandate of the regional presidents, poses a threat to the very foundation of democracy that we ought to safeguard.
10. The current constitutional review process suffers from a lack of transparency and inclusivity, which undermines legitimacy and trust in the final outcome. This hampers the creation of a constitution that genuinely reflects the aspiration and hopes of the Somali people.
11. As Members of Parliament, we strongly urge President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the custodian of the constitution, to refrain from interfering and pressuring members of parliament. We also request him to avoid creating situations that may undermine the unity of our country. Finally, given the reasons stated above, the undersigned MPs have decided to withdraw from and boycott the current parliamentary debate on the constitutional review process. We will only resume our participation when the credibility of the process is restored, and significant stakeholders have shown their support.
-End-
List of Signatories
1. Xil. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
2. Xil. Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo
3. Xil. Abdirahman Abdi Shakur Warsame
4. Xil. Abdisalam Sheikh Adam Liban (Dhabancad)
5. Sen. Mohamed Ali Yusuf (Gaabgaab)
5. Xil. Yusuf Hussein Ahmed (Gamaadiid)
6. Sen. Prof. Abdi Ismael Samatar
7. Xil. Adan Osman Hussein (Qoryooley)
8. Xil. Dr. Ali Saed Faqi
10.Xil. Fa’iso Mohamed Jeyte.
9. Xil. Jen. Ahmed Abdi Hashi (Ahmed Tajir)
12. Xil. Mohamed Ibrahim Macalimu
10. Xil. Hasan Abdi Nuur
11. Xil. Abdirahman Ahmed Osmaan (Gurey)
12. Xil. Mohamed Abukar Ali (Jacfar)
13. Sen. Maryan Farah Kahiye
14. Xil. Mohamed Wardhere Adan
15. Xil. Hersi Adan Roble
16. Xil. Shamso Hassan Elmi
17. Xil. Hussein Mohamed Nur (Dhagaweyne)
18. Xil. Abdulahi Mohamed Ali
19. Xil. Aweys Hussein Macalim
20. Xil. Amina Mohamed Mursal
21. XIl. Isma’il Abdirahman SH Bashir
22. Xil. Mohamed Hassan Mohamed
23. Xil. Ali Mohamed Sheikh (Ali Bagedi)
24. Xil. Abdirashid Mohamed Nur Jiley
25. Xil. Jen. Mohamed Sh Abdullahi Osman Irow
26. Xil. Abdulkadir Abdirahman Dhure (Yariisow)
27.Xil. Omar Sharif Jeeg
28. Xil. Lul Ibrahim Omar
29. Xil. Abdirahman Isak Mohamed
30. Xil. Ali Sheikh Mohamed
31. Xil. Dr. Abdulahi Hashi Abiib
32. Xil. Raysal Qorane Abshir
33. Sen. Saeed Siyad Shirwa
34.Xil. Farah Abdi Dini
35.Xil. Abdishakur Ali Mire
36.Xil. Abdulahi Adan Kulane
37. Xil. Jan. Bashir Abdi Mohamed (Ameeriko)
38. Xil. Abdulkadir Mohamed Wacays
39. Xil. Abdulahi Farah Mire
40. Xil. Marwa Abdibashir Ali
41. Xil. Farhiya Yusuf Omar
42. Xil. Fowsiya Mohamed Sheikh
43. Xil. Dahir Ayanle Saeed
44. Sen. Farhan Ali Hussein
45. Xil. Da’ud Abdikarim Sheikh Omar
46. Xil. Ali Mahdi Mohamed (Qalato)
47. Xil. Faysal Ahmed Mohamud (Wahaabi)
48. Xil. Aynanshe Yusuf Hussein
49. Xil. Abdirasak Hassan Dhokir
50. Xil. Abdiqani Mohamud Mohamed (Dhaanto)
51. Sen. Samira Mohamud Haji Awad
52. Sen. Saredo Mohamed Jayte
53. Xil. Saredo Mohamed Abdalla
54. Xil. Ahmed Abdi Koshin
55. Sen. Hussein Mohamed Dahir
56. Xil. Hamsa Saeed Hamsa
57. Xil. Alwiya Sid Abdulahi
58. Xil. Mohamed Abdulahi Ahmed (Mohamedweli)
59. Xil. Mohamed Adan Dini
60. Xil. Mohamed Abdirahman Hayle
61. Xil. Saeed Ali Muse
62. Xil. Sadiq Abdulahi Abdi
63. Xil. Farhiyo Mohamed Abdi
64. Xil. Omar Ali Isaq (Omar Balash)
65. Sen. Mohamud Mohamed Abdinur
66. Xil. Jawaahir Abuukar Abdi
67. Xil. Farah Moalim Bishar
68. Xil. Sahra Jama Ali
69. Xil. Eng Abdikarim Omar Hussein