Somalia’s parliament has approved the country’s new constitution with a majority vote held on Wednesday.
Speaker of the federal parliament Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, announced that 186 members of the lower house and 37 senators from the Upper house voted in favour of the new constitution.
“Today is a historic day, worthy of remembrance as our constitution transitions from a provisional one to an official, lawful one,” Nur told reporters after the end of the joint session.
Once it is formally signed into law by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the new constitution will replace the provisional constitution adopted in 2012.
“Today marks a defining milestone for Somalia as we fulfill our constitutional mandate to complete and adopt our constitution, transitioning it from provisional status to the supreme law of the land,” Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, a lawmaker and minister of family affairs and human rights, was quoted as saying.
The new constitution extends the presidential term from the current four years to five years. It also stipulates that the president will be elected by parliament, while MPs will be chosen directly by citizens.
Under the new constitution, the prime minister is appointed by the president, but may be removed by parliament.
The constitution defines the roles of the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and establishes oversight mechanisms designed to prevent abuse of office, ensure transparency, and uphold the rule of law.
MG/as/APA