By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, 20 April,226 At least 45 cabinet ministers must choose between the cabinet and parliamentary roles under a constitutional ruling, according to the commission.
The Somali Constitutional Commission had earlier ruled that holding both ministerial and parliamentary positions simultaneously violates the amended constitution, ordering affected officials to select a single role.
Breakdowns indicate that those impacted include 17 ministers, 15 deputy ministers, and 13 state ministers who currently hold dual positions within the executive and legislative branches.
The commission said the move is aimed at enforcing constitutional provisions related to the separation of powers, particularly under Articles 8 and 44, which outline the structure and responsibilities of state institutions.
“Any action, appointment, or conduct carried out by state institutions must comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Anything that contravenes the constitution is null and void,” the commission said in its earlier statement.
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However, the commission did not specify a timeline for implementation, leaving uncertainty over when affected officials are expected to relinquish one of their roles.
The absence of a clear deadline has prompted discussion among political observers, with some calling for immediate compliance, while others suggest a phased approach to avoid disruptions within government institutions.
The directive comes amid broader debates over governance, institutional accountability, and adherence to constitutional order, particularly as Somalia approaches a sensitive political period linked to electoral processes and leadership transitions.
Officials and institutions are expected to respond in the coming days, with attention focused on how the ruling will be implemented in practice and its potential impact on the functioning of both parliament and the executive branch.