Sharif Warns of Politically Motivated Constitutional Amendments in Somalia

Sharif: “Without national consensus any constitutional amendments will have no legal validity.”

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The former President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Sharif Sheikh Ahmed yesterday held a press conference in Mogadishu to express concerns over constitutional amendments being debated by the bicameral legislature.

Sharif emphasised the importance of consensus-based approach to post-conflict state building initiatives in Somalia to prevent arbitrary political decisions by the executive branch of government and the use of its powers to influence voting by MPs and Senators on nationally consequential issues.

“President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud intends to have the draft federal constitution amended by MPs and Senators in manner that serves his political interests. Without national consensus any constitutional amendments will have no legal validity” said Sharif, who along with 72 MPs and Senators including a former President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, signed a letter to boycott the constitutional amendments being sponsored by Villa Somalia.

“I call on President Hassan not to reverse progress that has been made in building state institutions in Somalia. Trust in state institutions has sharply declined” said Sharif.

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