Somalia’s constitutional commission has ordered ministers who are also lawmakers to choose between their cabinet and parliamentary positions, as a six-month deadline for implementing the new separation-of-powers rule approaches.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Strong reactions and public debate followed a decision by Somalia’s Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission to enforce a new constitutional provision separating membership of parliament from positions in the executive branch.
The commission announced Wednesday that lawmakers who also serve as ministers must choose between the two positions, as part of the implementation of constitutional amendments previously approved by both chambers of Somalia’s federal parliament.
The move marks a significant change from the 2012 provisional constitution, whose Article 97 allowed members of parliament to serve in the Council of Ministers. That provision has now been removed under the new constitutional framework.
Under the commission’s announcement, a lawmaker appointed to a ministerial position will lose their parliamentary seat, while a member of the Council of Ministers who remains a lawmaker must give up their cabinet position.
The commission said the six-month period granted for the implementation of the new rule began on April 14, 2026 and will expire on October 14. The deadline has therefore intensified attention on ministers and lawmakers who currently hold both positions.
“A minister who is a member of parliament will lose membership of the Council of Ministers. Likewise, a member of parliament will lose their parliamentary membership if they accept another government position,” said Burhan Adan Omar, chairman of the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission.
The announcement has triggered a range of reactions, with supporters describing the separation as an important step towards strengthening institutional checks and balances.
Abdisamad Jayte said the change represented a victory because it would establish separate executive and legislative institutions with clear oversight powers.
Other commentators focused on the approaching deadline.
“Only seven days are left. Let us see what changes,” Mohamed Mumin Ibrahim said, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding how the provision will be implemented before the October 14 deadline.
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Omar Hassan Abdi welcomed the decision, saying ministers and lawmakers should not hold both positions simultaneously and urging the government to implement the new constitution.
“Separating a lawmaker and a minister is a good thing. The new constitution must be implemented,” he said.
Farhan Hassan Osman also welcomed the move, describing it as a positive decision that would prevent one person from simultaneously exercising legislative and executive responsibilities.
Abdullahi Mahmoud Saney called the separation of the executive and legislative branches one of the strongest provisions adopted under the constitutional changes.
“The best provision you have introduced is the one separating the two institutions, the executive and the legislature,” he said, expressing hope that the rule would be fully enforced.
The implementation comes amid broader political debate in Somalia over constitutional changes, the powers of state institutions and the future structure of federal governance.
The separation of cabinet and parliamentary roles is expected to affect officials who have built political careers while simultaneously serving in the legislature and executive. It could also lead to changes in cabinet membership and parliamentary representation as the October deadline approaches.
The commission’s announcement places the focus now on how the federal government and parliament will enforce the provision and whether ministers who are also lawmakers will resign from one position before the deadline.
The development is likely to remain a major subject of political discussion as Somalia moves to implement the revised constitutional framework.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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