The President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has announced that the term of office of the Federal Government of Somalia will officially end on May 15, 2027, noting that this is in accordance with the new constitution that has been implemented, and that it is not a decision he made on his own.
In a lengthy speech to mark the Somali Youth League (SYL) Day, the President said that the implemented constitution stipulates that the term of office of the government and parliament will be five years, stating that the government will operate under that system until one-person, one-vote elections are implemented in the country.
President Hassan Sheikh defended the constitutional changes and the plan for one-person, one-vote elections, saying that the government is fulfilling its previous promises to the people, such as completing the constitution, implementing political parties and moving away from the indirect election system.
He said that Somalia has made progress in rebuilding government institutions, international relations and overcoming international isolation, citing membership in the United Nations Security Council and the recovery of the country’s central bank as examples.
The president also criticized politicians who oppose the one-person, one-vote system, saying that some of them want to keep the country in the old 4.5 system and indirect elections, which he described as having led to chaos and bloodshed.
Meanwhile, he said that the government is ready to listen to the views of the opposition and other politicians, but insisted that the implemented constitution is the legal one governing the country.
The president’s statement came as his four-year term ended. Meanwhile, the opposition said that they do not recognize the president as legitimate in power, after a meeting between the government and the opposition in Mogadishu failed to reach an agreement.
