Somalia’s Supreme Court declares president’s one-year tenure extension unlawful

A constitutional dispute in Somalia has deepened after the Supreme Court ruled against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to remain in office for an additional year, declaring the extension unlawful.

Mohamud’s presidential tenure ended in May, but his administration announced a one-year transition period to prepare for the country’s first nationwide democratic elections, scheduled for April and May 2027.

The president defended the extension, citing constitutional amendments approved by parliament in March. However, opposition parties and regional leaders boycotted the vote.

In its ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court said the amendments did not apply to Mohamud’s current tenure and that he should have vacated office when his term ended in May.

The judgment came a day after Mohamud announced the dismissal of the Chief Justice, Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, and named a replacement. Unconfirmed reports on Thursday also indicated that Ahmed had been arrested.

The presidency said the decision to remove the chief justice was based on concerns about the need for an efficient and impartial judiciary, without mentioning the pending constitutional case.

However, the Supreme Court rejected the move, accusing the president of attempting to obstruct proceedings in the case.

It declared the announced dismissal of Ahmed “null and void”.