By Goth Mohamed Goth
Mogadishu – The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, MP Caynaanshe Yusuf Hussein, and the Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, MP Ismacil Shire Buraale, resigned last night.
These two officials, who hailing from Puntland, stated that they oppose the constitutional amendments, pointing out that the process lacked consensus and did not follow proper legal procedures.
The constitutional amendments have sparked significant disagreement, deeply dividing the members of both houses of the Somali parliament.
This event marks a significant political development in Somalia, highlighting the deep-seated tensions surrounding the ongoing constitutional review process. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the context and implications:
· The Core Issue: Constitutional Amendments: The government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is pushing forward with a series of amendments to the country’s provisional constitution. These changes are highly contentious. Key points of debate often include the nature of the political system (e.g., moving towards direct elections), the distribution of powers between the federal government and federal member states (like Puntland), and the overall structure of governance.
· Puntland’s Stance: The fact that both resigned ministers are from Puntland is crucial. Puntland is one of Somalia’s most established federal member states and has often been at odds with the central government over issues of power-sharing, resource control, and constitutional legitimacy. Puntland authorities have previously stated they do not recognize the federal government’s unilateral push for constitutional changes, insisting that such fundamental matters require broad consensus among all federal states. These resignations are likely a reflection of that official Puntland position and put pressure on other politicians from the region who remain in government.
· Accusations of Illegitimate Process: The ministers’ statement that the process “lacked consensus and proper legal procedures” is a serious and common criticism from the opposition. They argue that the amendments are being rushed through parliament without sufficient consultation with federal member states, civil society, and other key stakeholders. This, they contend, violates the spirit of federalism and could further destabilize the country by deepening the divide between Mogadishu and the regional states.
· Parliamentary Divide: The report mentions that the issue has “deeply divided” the members of both houses of parliament (the House of the People and the Upper House). This means the government cannot rely on a unified front to pass its agenda. The Upper House (Senate), which represents the federal member states, is particularly sensitive to changes that affect state powers. The divisions could lead to legislative gridlock, heightened political tensions, and even physical confrontations within the parliament, as has happened in the past.
· Political Fallout: The resignation of two sitting MPs who were also deputy ministers is a symbolic and practical blow to the government. It signals a loss of support from a specific and important regional constituency. It could embolden other dissenting MPs to speak out or resign, weakening the government’s majority and its ability to pass the amendments. It also reinforces the narrative that the current constitutional review process is not inclusive and is facing serious resistance.
In essence, these resignations are not just isolated events but a symptom of a much larger political crisis in Somalia regarding the fundamental rules of how the country should be governed. They underscore the fragile relationship between the federal government in Mogadishu and the federal member states, particularly Puntland.
