Somalia's political system – Government, Parliament, Parties | Warar

Somalia politics

Somalia's political system

Somalia is a federal republic. Its supreme law is the Provisional Constitution, adopted on 1 August 2012 by the National Constituent Assembly in Mogadishu. Its adoption was part of the process that ended the transitional period and established the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012.

Updated
Federal parliamentary republic (with 2024 amendments)System of government
Provisional Constitution, 2012Constitution
275 MPsHouse of the People
54 senatorsUpper House
5 + BanadirFederal Member States
30% target for seatsWomen's representation

Overview

Overview

Power is shared between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States. The Federal Parliament has two chambers: the House of the People and the Upper House. Under the current indirect electoral system, members of parliament are selected rather than directly elected, and the Federal Parliament elects the President.

In March 2024 the Federal Parliament approved amendments to the first four chapters of the Provisional Constitution. The changes strengthened the presidency, allowed the President to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, and set a course toward multiparty, one-person-one-vote elections. Puntland objected to the amendments.

Political system

Somalia's system of government combines a federal structure with a parliamentary tradition. The President is the head of state and is elected by the members of both houses of the Federal Parliament. The Prime Minister leads the government, and the Council of Ministers carries out executive functions.

Under the 2012 text of the Provisional Constitution, the Prime Minister was appointed by the President and the government needed the confidence of the House of the People. The 2024 amendments give the President the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister.

Seats in the House of the People are currently allocated through the 4.5 power-sharing formula: equal shares for the four largest clan families (Darod, Hawiye, Dir, and Digil & Mirifle) and a half share for a coalition of other communities. The formula has been the basis of political representation since the Arta conference in 2000. The 2024 amendments provide for a move to multiparty, one-person-one-vote elections.

Government

Executive

Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Head of government. Leads the Council of Ministers and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the federal government.

Council of Ministers

Prime Minister (chair)

The cabinet. Chaired by the Prime Minister, it oversees the federal ministries and implements laws and government policy.

Executive

The executive branch is led by the President of the Federal Republic, who is head of state, and the Prime Minister, who is head of government. The President is elected by a joint sitting of the House of the People and the Upper House.

The Council of Ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister, oversees the federal ministries and implements laws and government policy.

Following the 2024 constitutional amendments, the President appoints the Prime Minister and may dismiss them.

Legislature

House of the People

Speaker

Lower house of the Federal Parliament, with 275 members selected under the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula. It passes federal laws and the budget.

275 seats

Upper House

Speaker

Upper house of the Federal Parliament, with 54 members representing the Federal Member States, elected by the state assemblies. The 11 seats for Somaliland are filled in Mogadishu.

54 seats
Legislature

The Federal Parliament has two chambers. The House of the People has 275 members and the Upper House has 54 members. Both chambers serve four-year terms.

Members of the House of the People are currently selected through a clan-based process under the 4.5 formula: clan elders nominate delegates, who then elect the MPs. Members of the Upper House represent the Federal Member States and are elected by the state assemblies; the 11 seats for Somaliland are filled through a separate process in Mogadishu.

Parliament passes federal laws and the budget and, in a joint sitting, elects the President. A target of 30% of seats for women has been set for the indirect elections, but it has not been fully met.

Judiciary

Supreme Court

Chief Justice

The highest court of the federal judicial system.

Constitutional Court

Chairperson

Provided for by the Provisional Constitution to rule on constitutional matters, including disputes between the federal government and the Federal Member States.

Judicial Service Commission

Chairperson

Oversees the appointment and discipline of judges in the federal judicial system.

Judiciary

The Provisional Constitution establishes an independent judiciary. It provides for a Constitutional Court, federal courts and courts of the Federal Member States, with the Supreme Court as the highest court of the federal judicial system.

The Constitutional Court is intended to rule on constitutional disputes, including those between the federal government and the Federal Member States. The Judicial Service Commission oversees the appointment and discipline of judges.

Somali law draws on three sources: statutory law, Islamic law (Sharia) and customary law (xeer). The Provisional Constitution states that no law may be enacted that contradicts the general principles of Sharia.

Parliament

House of the People

275 seats · Term 4 years
275
GroupSeatsShare
Darod6122.2%
Hawiye6122.2%
Dir6122.2%
Digil & Mirifle6122.2%
Beesha Shanaad / other communities3111.3%
Total275100%

The lower house of the Federal Parliament. Its 275 seats are currently allocated under the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula.

Upper House

54 seats · Term 4 years
54
GroupSeatsShare
Puntland1120.4%
Somaliland (selected in Mogadishu)1120.4%
Jubaland814.8%
South West814.8%
Hirshabelle814.8%
Galmudug814.8%
Total54100%

The upper house of the Federal Parliament, representing the Federal Member States. Members are elected by the state assemblies; the seats for Somaliland are filled in Mogadishu.

Elections

Somalia held multiparty parliamentary elections by direct vote in the 1960s; the last took place in March 1969, months before the military takeover. From 2000 onward, transitional and federal leaders were chosen through indirect, clan-based processes.

In the indirect model, clan elders select delegates or members of parliament, and the Federal Parliament elects the President. Parliaments chosen this way elected presidents in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

The 2024 constitutional amendments provide for a move to multiparty, one-person-one-vote elections, with political parties registered by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The timetable and rules for direct elections have been contested between the Federal Government, some Federal Member States and opposition groups.

Parties

Justice and Solidarity Party

JSP

Political party founded in 2025 and led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Leader
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Founded
2025
Seats
0
View profile

Wadajir Party

Political party led by Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

Leader
Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame
Seats
0
View profile

Himilo Qaran

Political party led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Leader
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
Seats
0
View profile

Union for Peace and Development Party

UPD
Seats
0
View profile

Constitution & laws

Constitution

The Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia was adopted on 1 August 2012 by the National Constituent Assembly, which met in Mogadishu. It replaced the Transitional Federal Charter of 2004 and remains provisional until it is reviewed, finalised and approved in a referendum.

The review is led by the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission and a parliamentary oversight committee. In March 2024 the Federal Parliament approved amendments to Chapters 1 to 4. Among other changes, they strengthened the presidency, allowed the President to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and provided for multiparty, one-person-one-vote elections. Puntland rejected the amendments.

The Provisional Constitution recognises Islam as the state religion, sets out a bill of rights, and makes Somali (Maay and Maxaa-tiri) the official language, with Arabic as the second language.

2012Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of SomaliaConstitutionIn force

Adopted on 1 August 2012 by the National Constituent Assembly. Sets out the federal system, the bill of rights and the institutions of government. Chapters 1–4 were amended by the Federal Parliament in March 2024.

2016Political Parties LawLawIn force

Sets the rules for forming, registering and running political parties.

2016Media LawLawAmended

Regulates the media sector, including the rights and duties of journalists and media outlets. Amended in 2020.

2016Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism ActLawIn force

Establishes measures against money laundering and terrorist financing, including obligations for financial institutions.

2019Public Financial Management ActLawIn force

Governs how public money is budgeted, spent, accounted for and audited.

2020Petroleum LawLawIn force

Provides the legal framework for petroleum exploration and production.

1962Somali Penal CodeLawIn force

The main body of criminal law in Somalia, enacted in 1962.

Member states

Somalia has a two-tier federal system: the Federal Government, based in Mogadishu, and the Federal Member States. The Federal Member States formed between 1998 and 2016 are Puntland, Jubaland, South West State, Galmudug and Hirshabelle. Each has its own president, state assembly and administration.

Mogadishu and the Banadir region are run by the Banadir Regional Administration, whose head serves as both Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banadir. The Provisional Constitution leaves the final status of the capital to be determined.

The division of powers and resources between the federal and state levels is still being negotiated, and relations between the Federal Government and some Federal Member States have at times been strained. Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, administers its own territory; the Federal Government regards it as part of Somalia.

Puntland

President

Federal Member State in north-eastern Somalia, established in 1998. Its capital is Garowe.

Established 1998Capital: Garowe

Jubaland

President

Federal Member State in southern Somalia, formed in 2013. Its capital is Kismayo.

Established 2013Capital: Kismayo

South West State

President

Federal Member State in south-western Somalia, formed in 2014. Its capital is Baidoa.

Established 2014Capital: Baidoa

Galmudug

President

Federal Member State in central Somalia, formed as a member state in 2015. Its capital is Dhusamareb.

Established 2015Capital: Dhusamareb

Hirshabelle

President

Federal Member State in central Somalia, formed in 2016. Its capital is Jowhar.

Established 2016Capital: Jowhar

Banadir Regional Administration

Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banadir

Administers Mogadishu and the Banadir region. The Provisional Constitution leaves the final status of the capital to be determined.

Capital: Mogadishu

Institutions

National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission

Chairperson

National Human Rights Commission

Chairperson

Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission

Chairperson

Boundaries and Federation Commission

Chairperson

Anti-Corruption Commission

Chairperson

Civil Service Commission

Chairperson

Central Bank of Somalia

Governor

Timeline

  1. 1960
    Independence and union

    The former British Somaliland, independent since 26 June 1960, and the Trust Territory of Somalia under Italian administration unite on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic.

  2. 1969
    Military takeover

    After the assassination of President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, the army seizes power on 21 October 1969 and Major General Mohamed Siad Barre becomes head of state.

  3. 1991
    Collapse of the central government

    The government of Mohamed Siad Barre is overthrown in January 1991 and the central state collapses, followed by years of civil conflict.

  4. 2000
    Arta conference

    A national reconciliation conference in Arta, Djibouti, forms the Transitional National Government and introduces the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula.

  5. 2004
    Transitional Federal Government

    Following talks in Kenya, a Transitional Federal Charter is adopted and the Transitional Federal Government is formed, introducing a federal model.

  6. 2012
    Provisional Constitution and Federal Government

    The National Constituent Assembly adopts the Provisional Constitution on 1 August 2012. A new Federal Parliament is selected and elects a President, ending the transitional period and establishing the Federal Government of Somalia.

  7. 2017
    Indirect elections

    A new parliament, chosen by electoral colleges of clan delegates, elects the President in February 2017.

  8. 2022
    Indirect elections

    After delays, a new parliament chosen through the indirect clan-based process elects the President in May 2022.

  9. 2024
    Constitutional amendments (Chapters 1–4)

    In March 2024 the Federal Parliament approves amendments to Chapters 1–4 of the Provisional Constitution, strengthening the presidency and providing for multiparty, one-person-one-vote elections. Puntland objects.