The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, pledged to finalize the country’s long-awaited Constitution at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of the Puntland state, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, on Thursday.
The event, which took place in Garowe, the capital of Puntland, was attended by high-ranking officials from the federal and regional governments, as well as foreign dignitaries and representatives of the international community.
President Mohamud congratulated President Deni and his deputy, who won the Puntland election on January 8, 2024, for a five-year term. He also urged them to fulfill their duties and responsibilities to the people of Puntland and Somalia.
In his speech, President Mohamud emphasized the importance of completing the Constitution, which has been under review for more than a decade, and said that he would not be deterred by any opposition.
“I want to tell Somalis that the Constitution is long overdue and it will soon be completed,” he said. “In this Constitution, Somali resources will be used to complete it and will not be taken abroad.”
He added that the completion of the Constitution would pave the way for the liberation of the country from the threats of terrorism and instability.
President Mohamud’s statement came after a joint session of the two Houses of the Federal Parliament approved the process of amending the Constitution on Wednesday.
The Constitution, which was adopted provisionally in 2012, is the supreme law of Somalia and provides the legal foundation for the existence and authority of the Federal Republic. It also sets out the rights and duties of its citizens and defines the structure of government.
