Somalia's top court rejects president's term extension amid political crisis

On Thursday the Somali Supreme Court decided that recent constitutional amendments could not be applied retroactively to President Mohamud's present term. In a separate ruling the court also declared the dismissal of the chief justice "null and void" and said the presidency had interfered with judicial independence.

President Mohamud had appointed Ibrahim Idle Suleiman, a former holder of the post, to replace Ahmed as chief justice. The presidency argued the dismissal was based on complaints about the administration of justice and was meant to secure a just and transparent judiciary. The court rejected this justification, insisting that removal of a chief justice must follow established constitutional procedures.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the court's decision, stating "the country is facing a grave political crisis" and urging Mohamud to adopt a consensus‑based approach.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said the president had deployed security forces to the Supreme Court and tried to arrest its chief justice, describing it as an "assault on the Supreme Court". He added, "Somalia stands at a dangerous juncture. The dismantling of our judiciary is a direct threat to the rule of law," according to AFP. AFP could not independently verify the alleged deployment, although pictures circulating in Somali media appeared to show armed personnel inside the court compound.

The rulings have thrown the country's electoral timetable into doubt. The electoral commission had set parliamentary elections for 15 April 2027 and a presidential vote a month later, but opposition groups and the regional administrations of Puntland and Jubaland have rejected the schedule. President Mohamud called for national talks from 14 to 18 November to resolve the deadlock, though opposition leaders have questioned his legitimacy to convene the discussions.

The political turmoil continues as Somalia battles al-Shabaab, which still controls large parts of the countryside despite years of military operations. Uganda, the largest contributor of troops to the African Union mission fighting the militants, announced this week that it plans to withdraw its forces by the end of the year, adding further concerns about Somalia's security.