Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday inaugurated the 7th Session of the Federal Parliament, addressing lawmakers on key national priorities, including security, economic reform, constitutional completion, and reconciliation.
In his opening remarks, the President highlighted what he described as major achievements in the past year — from territorial gains against Al-Shabaab to progress in debt relief and international partnerships. He urged legislators to complete the long-delayed review of the provisional constitution, a task that has eluded successive parliaments since the 9th Assembly.
“This Parliament will be remembered in history as the one that had the courage to finalize our Constitution. I hope this session will deliver that legacy,” Mohamud declared.
The 7th parliamentary session was opened on September 29, 2025, in Mogadishu, amid heightened political tension following recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned units in the capital.
The session took place at the People’s House in Mogadishu, the official seat of Somalia’s Federal Parliament.
The President used the platform to rally support for his administration’s priorities:
- Security & Liberation: Continued military campaigns to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab.
- Economic Growth: Launching oil drilling in coming months and developing infrastructure, including roads, airports, seaports, and even Somalia’s first satellite launch base in Africa.
- Political Stability: Advancing reconciliation with political rivals and federal member states.
- Governance: Completing the constitutional review to pave the way for full democratization, including universal suffrage elections.
Mohamud struck a tone of inclusion, calling on all Somali stakeholders — including political opponents and communities that feel marginalized — to engage in dialogue for national unity. He emphasized that his government remains committed to consensus-building, power-sharing, and rule of law.
Somalia has faced decades of political fragility, with recurring disputes between federal and regional authorities, as well as insurgency threats from Al-Shabaab. The constitutional review, first adopted as a temporary measure in 2012, has long been stalled due to disagreements over power-sharing, resource management, and the structure of government.
International partners, including the UN and African Union, have pressured Mogadishu to complete the process as part of broader state-building and democratization. The President’s emphasis on oil exploration also comes as Somalia positions itself to attract foreign investment despite ongoing security challenges.
President Hassan Sheikh’s opening of the 7th parliamentary session marks a critical moment for Somalia’s political roadmap. By linking military gains, economic reforms, and reconciliation efforts to the constitutional review, he has set the tone for what could be a historic session. The challenge now lies in whether lawmakers — often divided along clan and political lines — can deliver on the promise of a completed constitution, greater unity, and a path toward a stable, democratic future.
