The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Somalia has announced plans to hold its next presidential election in May 2027, following controversy over constitutional amendments that could extend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s tenure.
Mohamud’s term was originally scheduled to end in May this year. However, lawmakers voted in March to approve constitutional changes that could extend his stay in office by another year, a move that attracted criticism from opposition leaders.
The president’s administration has also faced persistent security challenges in its efforts to defeat al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked militant group that has fought Somalia’s central government for two decades.
Although Somali forces, supported by an African Union peacekeeping mission, have made gains against the militants, al Shabaab continues to control large parts of the countryside and regularly carries out attacks in major population centres.
The announcement was made by Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, chairperson of Somalia’s electoral body, during a broadcast on the state broadcaster.
Hassan also announced that parliamentary elections for members of both chambers—the lower house and the upper house—would take place on April 15.
The election timetable comes amid ongoing political disagreements over the country’s constitutional changes, presidential term limits and electoral arrangements.
