Somalia’s top court rejects president’s term extension amid political crisis

Somalia's Supreme Court has declared President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's extension of his term unlawful, intensifying a political standoff between the executive and judicial branches. This decision came just a day after the president dismissed Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, an action deemed beyond the president's authority by the court.

The ruling also mandated political leaders to reach an agreement on electoral procedures within 30 days and to organize elections within 90 days, potentially disrupting scheduled nationwide polls planned for the following year. President Mohamud's term had previously expired in May, but through parliamentary amendments approved in March, his administration extended it by a year.

Opposition groups allege that Mohamud's constitutional changes aimed to prolong his rule, a claim he refutes, stating the reforms were necessary for a fully democratic electoral system. The court has ruled that these amendments cannot be retroactively applied to Mohamud's current term. Additionally, the court declared the chief justice's dismissal as invalid, accusing the presidency of interfering with judicial independence.

The president subsequently appointed Ibrahim Idle Suleiman, previously holding the same position, to fill the vacancy. The presidency claims the dismissal was due to complaints about judicial administration but the court dismissed this explanation, emphasizing that the chief justice could only be removed through constitutional means.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed concern, calling the situation a "grave political crisis" and urging Mohamud to adopt a consensus-based approach. The conflict escalated further when former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that the president had deployed security forces to the Supreme Court and attempted to arrest its chief justice, accusing Mohamud of launching an "assault on the Supreme Court".

The rulings have created uncertainty in Somalia's electoral schedule, with the electoral commission originally planning parliamentary elections for April 15, 2027, and a presidential vote a month later. However, opposition groups and regional administrations in Puntland and Jubaland reject this timeline. Mohamud has invited national talks from November 14 to 18 to resolve the deadlock, but opposition leaders have questioned his authority to convene such discussions.

Meanwhile, Somalia continues to struggle against the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which maintains control over vast rural areas despite ongoing military efforts. Uganda, the largest contributor of troops to the African Union mission fighting the militants, announced its intention to withdraw its forces by year-end.