At pivotal moments in the life of nations, events emerge that transcend day-to-day politics and become defining milestones in shaping the state and its institutions. In Somalia’s modern history, the completion of the Somali Constitution and the approval of its latest amendments stand out as a major national achievement, bringing to a close years of transitional governance and opening the door to a new era of constitutional stability.
This milestone was achieved under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who had made the completion of the constitution one of his foremost political commitments to the Somali people. Fulfilling that pledge represents a defining achievement of his presidency and reflects a firm political will to strengthen the foundations of a modern Somali state.
From Provisional Charter to a Completed National Constitution
Following years of political turmoil and institutional collapse after the fall of the central government in 1991, the adoption of Somalia’s provisional constitution in 2012 marked an important step toward rebuilding the Somali state.
However, the document remained incomplete and subject to further review, leaving the country in a prolonged transitional phase that lasted more than fourteen years.
During that period, several constitutional challenges emerged, including disputes over the division of powers between the federal government and federal member states, the management of national resources, and broader issues surrounding the establishment of judicial institutions and the strengthening of both public and international confidence in Somalia’s state structures.
Under the 11th Federal Parliament and the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia has now moved to close that chapter. Lawmakers finalized and approved the constitution, a step widely viewed as a formal declaration of the end of the transitional period and the beginning of a new phase grounded in a fully functioning constitutional order.
Since taking office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has consistently emphasized that completing the constitution was not merely a routine political process, but a national priority closely tied to the stability, legitimacy, and future of the Somali state.
Abdulrahman Adam Ali
Spokesperson of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Somalia
