Mogadishu (WDN) — The Federal Government of Somalia, led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, has issued a directive requiring individuals serving simultaneously as ministers and members of parliament to relinquish one of the two positions, in line with provisions in the newly proposed constitution.

According to the directive, holding dual executive and legislative roles is no longer permitted, as the government seeks to formally separate the functions of the cabinet and the legislature.

Several senior ministers are reported to have already accepted the directive and agreed to vacate their parliamentary seats. Among them are the Minister of Finance, Biixi Imaan, and the Minister of Interior, Ali Xoosh, who originate from Somaliland and Puntland respectively.

The reform is presented by the government as part of broader efforts to implement a unilateral constitutional provisions opposed by many stakeholders such as Puntland, Jubaland and opposition. Villa Somalia argue that separating legislative and executive authority will enhance parliamentary oversight and reduce conflicts of interest within the state structure. However, the move comes amid broader constitutional uncertainty.

The proposed new constitution also extends the presidential and government term to five years. This provision has already sparked political tension, as the current administration was originally inaugurated under a four-year mandate. Critics argue that aligning the term with the new constitutional framework could create further legal and political disputes, especially given that opposition groups have rejected key aspects of the draft constitution altogether.

The timing of the reform has therefore raised concerns about whether it reflects genuine institutional restructuring or a politically contested transition process.

Opposition figures maintain that the constitutional changes lack broad consensus and warn that implementing them unilaterally could deepen mistrust between political actors at a time when Somalia is already facing heightened electoral and constitutional uncertainty.

As the country approaches a sensitive political period, the directive adds another layer to ongoing debates over governance, legitimacy, and the future structure of the Somali state.

WardheerNews