Somalia's President Announces Third Term Bid Despite Constitutional Controversy

2026-02-07 region

Mogadishu, 9 February 2026
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declares intention to seek re-election, arguing non-consecutive terms permit candidacy under provisional constitution despite opposition criticism.

Constitutional Interpretation at Centre of Re-election Bid

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced on 8 February 2026 his intention to seek a third term in office, citing a constitutional interpretation that distinguishes between consecutive and non-consecutive terms [1]. Speaking to Al Jazeera English on Saturday, Mohamud argued that Somalia’s provisional constitution prohibits a president from serving two consecutive terms but does not bar re-election after a break in office [1][4]. The president served his first term from 2012 to 2017 before returning to power in May 2022, creating what he describes as a non-consecutive pattern that permits another candidacy [2]. ‘The constitution of Somalia states that a president can serve two terms, but these terms must be consecutive. So far, I have not completed two consecutive terms, and therefore I am still eligible to contest,’ Mohamud stated [4].

Electoral Reform Promises Amid Political Tensions

The president emphasised that upcoming elections will operate under a reformed system, moving away from Somalia’s traditional clan-based electoral model toward a one-person, one-vote system [1]. This shift represents a significant departure from the indirect elections based on clan power-sharing that have characterised Somali politics in 2012, 2016, and 2021 [6]. Mohamud’s announcement comes as his administration pushes forward with controversial constitutional amendments that have drawn strong opposition from rival politicians and leaders of the Jubaland and Puntland regional states [1]. The proposed changes are being processed by parliamentary leadership amid boycotts and protests by opposition lawmakers, who argue the process lacks consensus and transparency [1].

Opposition Resistance and Political Instability

Opposition figures have accused the president of using the constitutional review process to consolidate power and potentially extend his time in office, allegations the government denies [1]. Political tensions have repeatedly disrupted sessions of Somalia’s bicameral parliament, with some opposition legislators barred from meetings following clashes with parliamentary leaders over constitutional review handling [1]. The parliamentary leadership suspended joint sessions of the two Houses of Parliament and some sessions of the House of the People on 7 February 2026, following disturbances that occurred on 2 February 2026 [5]. These developments have heightened Somalia’s political uncertainty at a time when talks were expected between the federal government and the Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of opposition leaders calling for dialogue on elections, security, and constitutional reform [1].

Regional Implications for Refugees and Stability

The political uncertainty surrounding Mohamud’s re-election bid carries significant implications for Somali refugees in camps such as Kakuma and Kalobeyei, as electoral instability often correlates with security deterioration in home regions [GPT]. Somalia continues to face substantial security challenges from Al-Shabaab insurgency, which has previously targeted the president directly, including roadside bomb attacks on his convoy in Merca in September 2013 and the killing of his nephew Dr Liban Osman in October 2015 [2]. The ongoing constitutional crisis occurs as Somalia attempts to transition to direct elections and a stable multiparty system after decades of conflict and political fragility [1]. Recent diplomatic engagements, including Mohamud’s meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on 2 February 2026, have focused on security cooperation and regional stability efforts [7], though domestic political divisions continue to test the country’s fragile institutions [1].

Bronnen

Somalia politics presidential election