The Uganda Law Society has expressed deep concern regarding the constitutional crisis in Somalia, calling on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to respect the ruling of the country’s Supreme Court and to refrain from any actions that would undermine the constitution or the independence of the judiciary.
In a statement issued on November 10, 2026, the Society noted its particular concern regarding the President’s attempt to extend his term beyond the period permitted by the constitution.
The Society pointed out that the Supreme Court of Somalia, in a ruling delivered on November 5, 2026, clarified that the constitutional amendments approved in March did not extend the terms of the President or the Parliament.
According to the court’s ruling, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s four-year term ended on May 15, 2026, while the terms of both houses of Parliament concluded on April 14, 2026. The Court further ordered that elections be held within 90 days. The statement also noted that on November 4, the President dismissed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, and appointed a replacement; however, the Supreme Court declared this action unlawful and null and void.
Despite this ruling by the court, the President proceeded to swear in a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on November 7, according to the statement.
The Uganda Law Society highlighted that their country has played a significant role in the pacification of Somalia, noting that Uganda was the first nation to deploy troops to Somalia in March 2007, as part of the African Union mission, AMISOM.
It stated that the sacrifices made by Ugandan forces, combined with the efforts of the international community, were aimed not only at extricating Somalia from conflict but also at building a nation founded on peace, democratic governance, and the rule of law.
The association urged the Somali government to abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling, adhere to constitutional term limits, and uphold the independence of the judiciary. Furthermore, it called upon the East African Community (EAC), the African Union, and the international community to urgently engage with the situation in Somalia and to pressure the government to respect domestic, regional, and international laws.
Finally, the Uganda Law Society emphasized that the violation of the law must not be permitted, concluding its statement with the slogan: “Preventing illegality.”