Mogadishu – A session intended to present proposed constitutional amendments, held today by members of both houses of parliament, ended in failure after it was disrupted by shouting and commotion, leading to the session’s adjournment.
Opposition lawmakers, who argued that the plan to amend the constitution did not follow a process of consultation and legal procedure, made their strength felt by creating an uproar in the chamber, moving around the hall, and tearing up the session’s agenda documents.
The opposition lawmakers also sang the Somali national anthem, which changed the atmosphere in the hall and appeared to be a message expressing their unity and political stance.
The government led by President Hassan Sheikh sought to add 40 days to the parliamentary term and to amend Articles 5 through 9 of the constitution.
The Somali National Consultative Council, which includes Puntland, Jubaland, and the Stabilization Forum, had called on President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud days earlier to completely halt the constitution-amendment process during this critical period for the country. However, the president accelerated the continuation of this effort.
In the coming week, a meeting between the Federal Government and the Somali National Consultative Council is scheduled to take place in Mogadishu, and the constitutional amendments are expected to be the most contentious issue between the two sides
