Opposition files court challenge to Somalia's new constitution
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is seeking to annul the charter, which regional states and opposition leaders call unilateral and unrepresentative.
Somalia’s Supreme Court has given the federal government until Thursday to respond to a legal challenge filed by opposition leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Ahmed is seeking to annul a new constitution that was approved in March. Regional states, including Puntland and Jubaland, along with opposition figures, have declared the charter unilateral, arguing it was drafted without broad consensus.
The opposition claims they were blocked from the parliamentary session where the constitution was approved. They maintain that the 2012 draft constitution, which was developed through a wide-ranging agreement among all political stakeholders, remains the recognized national charter. The federal government, however, is reportedly seeking ways to win the case or delay proceedings.
The case is being viewed as a significant test of the Supreme Court's independence, as many have long alleged that the judiciary is influenced by the executive branch. The current leadership, led by President Hassan Sheikh, has hailed the new document as a pivotal step for the nation.
Why it mattersRegional states and opposition leaders are affected because they do not recognize the new constitution and continue to adhere to the 2012 draft.