In Somalia, lawmakers propose constitutional reform to lengthen presidential term

The Lower House Parliament's First Deputy Speaker, MP Sadia Yasin Samatar, has appointed a ten-member committee to prepare a report on a motion signed by 100 lawmakers advocating for amendments and supplements to the constitution. According to reports, the motion seeks to amend articles 60 and 91, which currently state that the President of the Federal Government of Somalia shall hold office for a term of four years, beginning on the day they take the oath of office. The Chairman of Somalia's Senate said that his chamber would follow suit on [10 March] after accepting a proposal that 15 senators put forth. [...] [Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed] has stated that the proposed amendment would allow for an increase in the parliamentary and presidential term limits from 4 to 5 years. [...] On [2 March], the Somali Cabinet Council approved a five-person committee tasked with the Independent Commission for the Review of the Federal Constitution. Before it was approved, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs presented the committee to the Council, chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Barre. "The newly nominated five-person committee has been approved by the cabinet of ministers for the Federal Government of Somalia and will soon go before the Federal Parliament for approval to pave the way for the completion of the Federal Constitution," the Ministry said in a statement.
Read the full article here: Hiiraan Online