By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, Oct. 7, 2026 Somalia will begin enforcing constitutional provisions separating government posts from parliamentary membership on Oct. 14, the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission said on Wednesday.
The commission said Articles 81(1)(f) and 117(3)(a) of Somalia's 2026 Constitution would take effect on that date, following the expiry of a six-month transition period for aligning administrative arrangements with the constitution.
Under the provisions, a minister who is also a member of parliament will lose membership of the Council of Ministers, while a lawmaker who accepts another government position will lose their parliamentary seat.
The change could affect 44 members of the federal government who also hold parliamentary seats, comprising 16 ministers, 13 state ministers and 15 deputy ministers.
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The six-month transition period began on April 14, when the 2026 Constitution took effect, and will expire on Oct. 14, the commission said.
Burhan Aden Omar, chairman of the commission, said implementing the provisions was a constitutional obligation.
The commission also cited Article 4 of the constitution, saying that, apart from Islamic Sharia, the constitution is the supreme law of the country and that all state institutions are required to comply with it.
The commission's statement did not detail the administrative steps that would be taken to separate the two roles once the period expires.