Somalia MPs form a caucus against illegal constitutional amendments

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — A group of Somali MPs has today launched a caucus to “rectify governance and oppose illegal amendments to the draft constitution”. Dubbed Kutlada Toosinta (the rectification caucus”, the caucus commended the Federal Government of Somalia for its war against Al-Shabaab and made it clear “that we support the government on all its national security endeavours” to liberate territories still under Al-shabaab forces.

A federal MP reading the mission statement of the Rectification Caucus in Mogadishu. (Photo credit: Dalsan TV).

The caucus expressed dismay over the recent declaration from the the National Consultative Council made up of several federal member states to amend the federal constitution to limit political parties to two and change the President-PM system to President-Vice President. “We oppose any steps to amend the constitution without national consensus” said an MP who read the mission statement of the caucus at the gates of the Federal Parliament premises.

Professor Afyare Elmi: “The members of the parliament and the opposition politicians have a responsibility to initiate a constructive dialogue. Silence is not an option. Change should only come after an inclusive and comprehensive debate.”

Meanwhile, Professor Afyare Elmi, a political scientist at the City University in Mogadishu, cautioned against unilateral amendments to the federal constitution of Somalia. “The current government should not be allowed to hastily and arbitrarily change the country’s fragile and incomplete political settlement. It took 10 years and multiple conferences to establish the Third Republic. Shariah as the basis of legislation, Clan power-sharing, federalism, political dispensation every 4 years, and a parliamentary system are the major components of our political settlement” Professor Elmi tweeted. Last week, Puntland State of Somalia called on Somalia’s federal legislators not to lend a hand to illegal attempts to amend the federal constitution under duress.

© Puntland Post, 2023.

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