Somalia: Supreme Court Defies President and Overturns Its Own Dismissal

Somalia’s Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution adopted in March 2026, which extends the presidential term from four to five years, cannot extend Hassan Cheikh Mohamoud’s current term. On November 4, the president dismissed Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, the Court’s president, while it was examining the constitutional issue. The Court overturned the dismissal on November 5, finding that it violated Articles 135 and 138 of the revised Constitution and bypassed the required procedure, including involvement of the Superior Council of the Judiciary and parliamentary approval.