Somalia's Supreme Court has rejected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's decision to extend his presidential term, ruling that the move was unconstitutional and ordering political leaders to agree on an electoral roadmap within 30 days.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, November 5, has intensified an ongoing political crisis in the country, exposing growing tensions between the presidency and the judiciary.
The court ruled that constitutional amendments approved by parliament in March, which extended the presidential mandate by one year, could not be applied retrospectively to Mohamud's current term.
The President's four-year mandate officially expired in May, but his administration had relied on the parliamentary changes to remain in office until next year.
The decision also directed political leaders to reach an agreement on an election plan within 30 days and ensure that elections are held within 90 days, potentially disrupting the government's existing electoral timetable.
The court's intervention came a day after Mohamud dismissed Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, a move that was also challenged by the judiciary.
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court declared Ahmed's dismissal null and void, saying the President had no authority to remove the chief justice outside established constitutional procedures.
Mohamud had appointed Ibrahim Idle Suleiman, a former holder of the position, to replace Ahmed.
The presidency defended the decision, saying it followed complaints about the administration of justice and was intended to promote transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
However, the court rejected the explanation, warning that the move amounted to interference with judicial independence.
The dispute over the presidential term has also drawn criticism from opposition groups, who accuse Mohamud of using constitutional amendments to prolong his stay in power.
The President, however, maintains that the reforms are necessary to move Somalia towards a fully democratic electoral system and end the longstanding clan-based arrangement in which traditional elders select representatives.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, describing the situation as a serious political crisis and urging Mohamud to pursue a consensus-based approach to resolving the dispute.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also accused the President of escalating the confrontation by deploying security personnel to the Supreme Court and attempting to arrest the chief justice.
Khaire described the reported actions as an assault on the country's highest court, warning that interference with the judiciary threatened the rule of law.
Reports of the security deployment could not be independently verified, although photographs circulating in Somali media appeared to show armed personnel within the court compound.
The court's decisions have now thrown the country's electoral preparations into uncertainty.
Somalia's electoral commission had scheduled parliamentary elections for April 15, 2027, followed by a presidential election a month later.
However, opposition leaders and regional administrations in Puntland and Jubaland have rejected the proposed timetable, further complicating efforts to reach an agreement on the country's political future.
In an attempt to ease tensions, Mohamud has called for national talks between November 14 and 18 to resolve the electoral impasse.
However, opposition leaders have questioned his legitimacy to convene the discussions following the expiry of his presidential mandate.
The political standoff comes as Somalia continues to face security challenges from al-Shabaab militants, who maintain control over large parts of the countryside despite sustained military operations.
Uganda, which contributes the largest number of troops to the African Union mission fighting the militant group, has also announced plans to withdraw its forces by the end of the year.
The planned withdrawal has raised further concerns about Somalia's security at a time when political divisions threaten to complicate the country's efforts to maintain stability.
