By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 15 April 2026 — Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke warned Wednesday that Somalia has entered a “constitutional vacuum and uncertainty” after the federal parliament’s mandate expired, raising fears of political instability.
The federal government is now operating on “borrowed time” with “limited and potentially risky options” to advance its agenda, Sharmarke said on X.
He said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has “one month” to convene stakeholders and reach a settlement acceptable to all parties.
“We have entered a difficult phase of a constitutional vacuum and uncertainty,” Sharmarke wrote.
The warning comes after the 11th Federal Parliament’s term expired on April 14 under the 2012 provisional constitution, which sets a four-year term.
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Sharmarke urged inclusive dialogue involving the federal government, opposition groups and federal member states, warning failure could deepen instability. He also criticized a pattern of “personalizing power” at the end of political terms and called for reforms to prevent future disputes.
Legal confusion persists. A recently revised constitution extends institutional terms to five years, but officials have not clarified if it applies to the current parliament or only future ones.
House Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur 'Madobe' has said parliament is operating under the new five-year timeline.
There was no immediate response from the federal government to Sharmarke’s remarks.
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