Somalia’s Members of Parliament have approved the country’s new constitution to extend the terms of the President and the Lawmakers from four to five years.
The process for constitutional review has lasted in the house for over 13 years.
186 Members of Parliament and 37 Senators voted in favour of the new constitution during their joint meeting.
The Speaker of the House of the People, the Lower chamber of the Federal Parliament, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur described the approval as historic.
According to him, transitioning their constitution from the older one to the new and lawful one is worthy of remembrance.
“Today is a historic day, the country has a law and a new constitution.” The Speaker stated.
The new Constitution also says Parliament will vote to elect the President and the Lawmakers will be elected by the citizens.
Also the Constitution stipulates that the President will appoint the Prime Minister but Parliament may remove him.
Somalia’s government said they want to ensure rule of law, transparency and check abuse of office.
Executive, Judiciary and Legislature roles were also outlined in the document.
On his part, Hassan Moallin Mohamud Sheikh Ali, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister also welcomed the approval.
He said the approval is in line with the country’s stability, governance and national unity agenda.
“The revised Constitution did not come easily, this step marks progress in strengthening and moving the country beyond the long-standing provisional framework” He said.
Somalia adopted the provisional constitution in 2012.
It was endorsed by more than 800 delegates at a conference in Mogadishu.
Source: Elvisanokye.com